Col. USAF Ret Leroy W. Stutz passed away on July 9th, 2023.

Leroy was the son of William Christian and Ella Mae Stutz of Effingham, Kansas. He was born on November 13, 1939 in Atchison, KS. He is survived by his wife, Karen Lee; son, Brian Scott Stutz; daughter-in- law, Patty Stutz; three grandchildren: Aaron, Aimee and Austin Stutz; one grand daughter-in-law, Anissa Stutz who is the mother of his great grandchild, Winnie Stutz. Leroy was a brother to his two deceased sisters Helen Caplinger and Jeanette Berry. Leroy attended Monrovia grade school and Atchison County Community High School where he played football and basketball graduating in 1957. He joined the Kansas Army National Guard in February of 1957. After graduating he farmed in partnership with his brother-in-law Gene Berry. In 1959 he attended Washburn University in Topeka KS, playing football and joining the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1959 he received an appointment to the Air Force Academy, graduating in 1964 as a 2nd Lt. Two weeks later he and Karen Keirns ( his high school sweetheart) were married in Atchison, KS. They moved to Selma, AL where Leroy attended AF pilot training and their son Brian was born. Next was Sumter, SC where Leroy Checked out in the new Phantom II RF-4C aircraft. They stayed in Sumter for almost a year before Leroy's unit deployed to South East Asia. Karen and Brian stayed in Kansas with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G Keirns. On the 64th combat mission over North Vietnam Leroy was shot down and captured 2 December 1966. He was listed as MIA for the next three years. His status was changed to POW at the time. On 3 March 1973 after the Paris Peace Agreements were signed Leroy was released to return to the United States and his family. Although he was medically grounded from flying, Leroy and Karen decided to stay in the Air Force. They served 4 years at the Air Force Academy, 1 year at the Air and Command Staff College, 6 years at MacDill AFB, 1 year at the Air War College, and another 3 at MacDill, 2 years at Tinker AFB and lastly Chanute AFB, IL. Leroy served a total of 37 years in the National Guard and Air Force. His military decorations included two Silver Star Medals, two Legion of Merit ( one with V), one Distinguished flying cross, two bronze star medals ( both with V), two purple heart medals, four Meritorious service medals, six air medals, POW medal, and others. Leroy always talked about how much Karen had done for him. She had waited four years to marry as he couldn't be married as a cadet. Then later she waited almost seven years for him to return from SEA. She was his everything.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Red River Rats Association