Michael E. Leary

Michael E. Leary, age 78 of Waco, TX, passed away on September 12, 2022. Viewing and rosary will be held Wednesday, September 21, 2022, from 5-7 PM, at the Willoughby Funeral Home in Howard. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 10:30 AM at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Howard. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Howard.

Michael was born January 15, 1944, in Madison, SD, to Edward and N. Jean (Davison) Leary. He attended St. Agatha Catholic school in Howard, where he graduated in 1961. While in high school he played basketball, baseball, and worked as a pin setter at the local bowling alley. The day after his high school graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his career, he served in Viet Nam and throughout the Pacific Theater. After 26 years, he retired October 1, 1987, with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

Michael loved to hunt, fish, and watch his favored Boston Red Socks.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Cris Leary; children: Brenda (Leslie) Erikson, Dell Rapids, SD; Katie Leary, Brandon, SD; Donna (Joel) Hanks, Rapid City, SD; Michael (Amanda) Leary, College Station, TX; Daniel Leary, San Antonio, TX; Caroline (Yutaka) Elwick Atsushi, Okinawa, Japan, Anthony (Amy) Elswick, Leesville, LA, Tracey (John III) Leviness, Cheektowaga, NY; Letty Quiroga, Goldthwaite, TX; sister: Patricia Carlson, Jean Marie Thompson, Dorothy Hageman, Mary Leary, Howard, SD;  grandchildren: William, Daniel, Patrick, Melissa, Caroline, Charles, Hope, Kristina, Joshua, Haylee, Sydnee, Owen, Jurie, Jurai, Andrea, Anthony, Melissa, John IV, Jordan, Emily, Adriana, Elena, Brandon; great-grandchildren: Jaymison, Zoey, Alyvia, Stetson, Porter, Adeline, Cameron, Zoe, Theodore, Carter, Aubrey, Imogen, Ronan, Brandon, Madison, Sophie, Rosie, Johnny, Lily, Higinio, Catalya; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Dennis Carlson, Lee Thompson and Gerald McKinney and nephews James Hackl and Christopher Carlson.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Michael’s dear friend Mike Jansing, his hunting partner Kenny Brewton, nurses and staff of Ascension Providence ICU and the Knights of Columbus Council 8135.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knights of Columbus Council 8135, 2001 N 25th Street, Waco, TX 76708.

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