By Deborah Larsen
Leroy Clark Felton
Leroy Clark Felton was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 15, 1919, the son of Lynn and Anna Miller Felton. His family moved to Rochester after Leroy graduated from Plymouth High School in 1939. After high school, Leroy attended Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) and earned a teaching degree. He married Mary Jane Parmalee in 1941.
In April 1942, Leroy enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He trained as a fighter pilot and saw action in the South Pacific. He was released from active duty in 1947, but remained in the active reserve.
After the war, Leroy served as a machine shop instructor at Rochester High School and taught a high school course in aviation education. He continued his service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, serving as director of operations for the 403rd Troop Carrier Wing at Selfridge Air Force Base.
Leroy was elected to the Rochester Board of Education in 1960, but resigned in November 1961 because of the demands of his Air Force Reserve duties; he had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1960.
In 1979, Leroy and his wife moved from Rochester to Boynton Beach, Florida, to enjoy retirement.
Leroy Clark Felton died at age 87 on November 27, 2006.