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Lemoore 'Citizen' and 'Greatest Generation' member Leonard Schlosser dies
He became a plank owner on the USS Independence CVL22, the first Navy Night Carrier. During his time on board the ship he was assigned to the "Signal Gang" as a Signalman PO3 in the Pacific. He received eight combat medal awards among others (from Sept. 1943 to May 1945). He was sent back to the states to join another ship entering the war, but by that time the war ended. While waiting for discharge, he was working at the Oakland Naval Supply Depot where he met Opal Corbett.
The two were married Jan. 16, 1946, and settled in the Island District (home to Opal who graduated from Lemoore High School, class of 1944). Leonard worked any job he could to support his growing family: farm labor, Safeway in Lemoore, plumbing assistant, digging trenches for the new Elk Meadows subdivision, and selling life insurance. In the 1960s he owned a Foremost Wholesale Distributorship, an A&W Drive-in, and Stadium Drive-in, all long-time familiar fixtures in Lemoore, and in the 1980s he worked in the produce department at Lincoln Market, Food King, and Farm Boy.
His commitment to the nation continued with his commitment to his community. Leonard was active in youth organizations: Cub Scouts, Little League, and service organizations such as the Lemoore Kiwanis, Military Order of the Louse, Veterans of Foreign Wars - life time member - American Legion Post 100 for 68 years, Lemoore Police Department's 'Volunteers in Policing' (VIP), Lemoore Senior Citizen Center and Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years.
For his service to this community, Leonard was recognized in 2001 as the Kings County Peace Officers' Association Citizen of the Year, the 2002 VIP of the year, and in 2005 he was named the Lemoore Citizen of the Year.
We as a family are proud and honored to have his life as an example to emulate. Leonard enjoyed his time in each of the organizations listed above, and his trip on the first “Honor Flight” to Washington DC from Fresno. He is considered the favorite uncle and is being missed by both the Schlosser and Corbett families.
Leonard is preceded in death by his two wives, and his second son Leonard. Surviving are his sons Landon and his wife Marion of Lemoore; Stephen and his wife Brenda of Brighton, Colorado; Ted and his wife Janey of Lemoore, and step son Richard Kiss of Los Banos; six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and sister-in-law Helen Schlosser of Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.
Leonard would say "we got to help feed the hungry" and every month he would buy food and give to Lemoore Christian Aid. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Lemoore Christian Aid, 224 N. Lemoore Ave and/or Lemoore Senior Citizens, 789 S. Lemoore Ave. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Lemoore Cemetery, Sat. April 23. After the service, the reception is at Lemoore Senior Citizen Center. Arrangements by Neptune Society of Fresno.
Grave side services will be held at 11 a.m., Lemoore Cemetery, Sat. April 23rd. After the service, the reception will be held at the Lemoore Senior Citizen Center. Arrangements by Neptune Society of Fresno.
