Michael E. Leeper, Brigadier General, US Army (Ret.) age 98, passed away on December 18, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born Jan 28, 1917 in Republic, Pennsylvania to Samuel Leeper and Elizabeth Augustine Leeper. He was last surviving of their ten children.Mike Leeper entered the Army as an enlisted man in March 1941 and retired 30 years later in December 1971 as a Brigadier General.He graduated in 1940 from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Business Administration and from Leland Stanford University with an MBA in 1949. He also attended several Service schools including Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed ForcesDuring his distinguished 30 year Army career he served in the Quartermaster Corps and was detailed for a short time to the Ordnance Corps. He served in Africa, Italy, Germany and Korea. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. His awards, among others, included the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Korean Order of National Security Merit and in 1978 was inducted into Who's Who in America.After retiring from the Army General Leeper met and married his loving wife Mary Hoke Leeper in Honolulu HI on July 20, 1974.He continued to work for 18 years in the private sector as Board Chairman and CEO for Aloha Corporation, President of DRC of Hawaii, both in Honolulu and Special Assistant to the President, Lucky Development Company, a major international construction company located in Korea.General and Mrs. Leeper were one of the first residents of the Army Residence Community (ARC) where they resided for more than 28 years. San Antonio was a great home base while Mike and Mary traveled the world. He enjoyed entertaining friends, loved to golf, and was instrumental in establishing the computer club at the ARC.Mike had a quick wit and a great heart. He was always willing to provide support and advice and had a particular interest in helping young people better their lives through education.He was preceded in death by his first wife of 28 years, Betty Jane Marshall, three of his children, Michael E. Leeper Jr., James Leeper and Phillip Leeper. He is survived by his son Richard Leeper, LTC, US Army (Ret.) and his wife Peggy, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his deeply loved wife of 41 years Mary Hoke Leeper.A Catholic Memorial Mass celebrating his life was held December 23, 2015. A memorial service and interment of his ashes will be at 11:30 am, January 19, 2016 at Fort Sam Houston.
Published in Express-News on January 19, 2016