Jefferson Reynolds Leason III, 81, of Longwood went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday July 12, 2017, at approximately 8:30 p.m. after a long and brave fight with cancer. He passed peacefully at his residence with his family by his side.
He was loved by his wife of 55 years, Fran, his daughter Kimberley M. (Leason) and Joe Talavera, his daughter Karen (Kate) M. Leason, his son, Jefferson R. IV and Angela Leason, and his six grandchildren, Michael, Miranda, Joseph, Joshua, Jefferson V., Anslee, and the family dog, Durango.
Born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, and raised in Pittsburgh, the son of Jefferson R. Leason II and Aimee Jean (Grassel) Leason. He graduated from Perry High School in Pittsburgh. He moved to Washington D.C. and joined the U. S. Air Force Reserves in 1952 . He served in the armed forces for ten years. After being Honorably Discharged in 1962, Jeff and Fran married and made their home in Northern Virginia. Jeff began his sales career at Sears and Roebucks in Men's Clothing and Electronic Sales and was a valued employee for 14 years.
Jeff and his family moved to Longwood, Florida in 1977, where he returned to school for air-conditioning repair and enjoyed working in this field until he retired.
In 2011, the City of Longwood created the Citizens on Patrol (COP) program. Jeff served as one of the original COPs and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2014. He also participated in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) sponsored by the Longwood Fire Department. He was an active member of the Windsor Manor Civic Association, participating in many events over the years. Jeff was very dedicated in his service to his community.
Jeff was also an active member in his local church, Grace Life, in Longwood. He loved and served his church family. Jeff's hobbies included crossword puzzles, reading westerns, traveling, sports (go Redskins!), his grandchildren's sporting events, fishing, shooting, and spending time with his family.
Jeff was a wonderful man, great husband, loving father and grandfather, faithful and dedicated to serving his family, church, and community. He was warm and generous to all he met. His passing leaves an emptiness in our hearts and souls. He will be greatly missed!
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Grace Life Church, 919 Lincolnwood Lane, Longwood, Florida 32750 (corner of Rangeline Road and Longwood Hills Road) on July 22, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. Refreshments to follow the service.
Flowers can be delivered to 221 Slade Lane, Longwood, FL 32750 (family residence) and will be delivered to the church at the time of service.