Herbert Gorham Leake passed away in the early morning hours on November 21, 2017. He was 97 years old and a WWII veteran. Herb was born April 8, 1920 in St. Charles, Illinois. His family moved to Seattle in 1924, where Herb lived for 93 years. He enlisted in the Army on June 14, 1944 at Fort Lewis, WA, and saw action in the Philippines during WWII. He was honorably discharged in March 1945. His career was at Boeing Aircraft until his retirement.
On Valentine’s Day, 1953 he married Ann Lalka and would have celebrated their 65th anniversary in February, 2018. Herb joined the National Guard in 1955 and in April, 1973 was transferred to the Retired Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel Staff Specialist. For many years he and Ann were active in their skin diving club. His love of airplanes steered him to the Museum of Flight where he was instrumental in restoring the Boeing Model 247D, the flagship of the Museum of Flight.
Survivors include Wife, Ann; their Children Nancy Warren, Linda Walker (Dave), Pam Vogan (Bill), Craig Leake and Stepdaughter Linda Thornberry (Mike); Grandchildren Jessica Earl, Joel and Jamie Walker, Matthew and Michael Vogan, Nicholas and Brooke Leake; Great- Grandchildren Madilyn, Carson and Marcus Earl and Tinsley Walker. There will be a Memorial for Herb on April 8, 2018 at 1 pm at the Museum of Flight, 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108. Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.acaciafuneralhome.com.
