Leeland S. King, Jr.

With great sadness, we announce the death of our dear father, Leeland S. King, Jr. He was born on July 11, 1924 in Los Angeles, CA and died peacefully on November 17, 2017.  Our Mom, Betty, predeceased him in 2009.  He is survived by children, Gayle Sarlatte, Lee King (Jodi), and Diane Koressel (Terry); sister Floy; 5 grandsons: Henri and Ray Sarlatte, Austin and Eric Koressel, and Kevin King; and 5 great-grandchildren: Hannah, Sarah, Raymond, Kathryn, and Briana Sarlatte.  In 1967 Lee and Betty moved to Contra Costa County after Lee retired from active military service in 1966.  They first lived in Concord; after Lee and Betty both retired permanently, they moved to Rossmoor.  As a Major in the U.S. Air Force, he flew long-range B-47 bombers for most of his career at various stateside and overseas locations.  Prior to serving in the Air Force, he had served in the Navy until a mid-air collision in a trainer hospitalized him for 10 months.  He also spent time as a deep-sea diver out of Long Beach, CA, and tested tires at high speed in the Mojave Desert for U.S. Rubber Company.  After retirement from the Air Force, Lee had another career working for 15 years in a civilian capacity at the Concord Naval Weapons Station.  He was a true Patriot, flying Old Glory at his house every day.  He became interested in rocks and lapidary and was a member of the Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society for many years, enjoying various trips with other “rockhounds” to collect unusual rocks.  Family and friends were the beneficiaries of many beautiful pieces of jewelry, belt buckles, and other objects that he made.  He was a gentle soul (one of his grandsons called him a “gentle giant”) with a great smile and wonderful eyes.  We will miss him tremendously but are so grateful that he enjoyed “a life well lived”.  A burial at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery (5819 Midway Rd. Dixon, CA) will be held on December 8, 2017 at 10 am.  Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Petaluma, who assisted Dad in his final weeks, or a charity of your choice.

Sacramento Valley National Cemetery