Austin J. Leftwich, Jr

Austin J. “Jack” Leftwich, Jr, 100, husband of Sharon K. “Sherry” Cartwright Leftwich of McLouth, died Thursday, September 7, 2017 at his home. He was born August 7, 1917 in Gary, IN, the son of Austin Jesse, Sr. and Alice Reynolds Leftwich and was raised by his Aunt Elva Vosburgh . “Jack” attended schools in Kansas City, KS and had graduated from Flight School. He served as an Airline Pilot for Pan American Airlines, retiring in 1977 after 35 years. He was called to duty as a civilian with the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Navy during WWII from October 8, 1942 to July 18, 1945 and again during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. He was a member of the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association and also owned the “Threshing Bee” Airport in McLouth. He was married to Hettie Laws, later divorcing, four sons were born to this union. Hettie died in 1995. After meeting Sharon Kaye “Sherry” Cartwright in 1983 in Lawrence, they were married on July 10, 1985 in McLouth, she survives at the home. Survivors include three sons, Robert Leftwich, Woodstock, GA, William Leftwich, Savannah, GA, James (Linda) Leftwich, Tarpon Springs, FL, three stepdaughters, Julie (Cameron) Sherve, Oskaloosa, Tammy (Calvin) Willits, Lawrence, Shelley Beasley, Oskaloosa, one sister, Bonnie Rodekoff, Independence, MO, seven grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Richard Leftwich and a grandson, Brady Wilitts. Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, Monday at McLouth First Baptist Church. Burial at McLouth Cemetery. Visitation 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Sunday at the McLouth First Baptist Church. Memorials suggested to Parkinsons Foundation in care of Barnett Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS, 66066. www.barnettfamilyfh.com Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries. LJWorld.com.