Theodore Hayes Leaver, JR Tribute

Ted was a man of courage, passion, and success.  He was a family man that inspired all with his endeavors.  Theodore Hayes Leaver, JR began his life in Rolla, MO on June 25, 1931.  He was the son of the late Theodore H. Leaver and Marie (Beers) Leaver.  Ted had two siblings, an older brother, the late Harvey Leaver and his younger brother Mel Leaver.  As a young boy, he was an avid Boy Scout, becoming an Eagle Scout with an award of the "Order of the Arrow."  Upon graduation, he joined the Navy, serving in the Korean War.  After leaving the military he sold insurance, but kept loyal to the military with the American Legion.  He had three kids with his first wife Faye Wieters: Jason, Jozlyn and Robbyn.  Through his extensive network of friends, he discovered his passion for flying and the aviation business in Mason City, IA.  He married his second wife Rose (Merfeld) Leaver and shortly after that moved to Wausau, WI.  Ted started Central Wisconsin Aviation in Mosinee, WI, and built it into a thriving business. Ted and Rose had two kids in Wausau, Christopher and Elizabeth.  The aviation business brought Ted and his family to Baton Rouge, LA for a short time, and then on to Houston, TX for his prominent years in the aviation business.  Ted had his own businesses, Worldwide Aviation and Aircraft Sales, as well as running (Northwest Jet, Houston Exec, and Owner's Jet).  An entrepreneur and respected businessman, he was at the top of the aviation ladder. Ted was known for selling John Travolta a plane in Houston and teaching him to fly it, during his filming of Urban Cowboy.  Through the years, he met many other famous people, including  Jim Lovell of Apollo 13, George Bush Sr, Bob Dole, and Julio Iglesias to name a few.  Adventurous and charming, he was always good company to keep.  He was a great story teller and had a unique sense of humor to always entertain others.  There was also a compassionate and sensitive side that made him very personable.  Because of all this, Ted had lasting friendships and relationships with those he encountered.  He was a very caring person, and also had a soft place for animals.   Ted definitely knew how to enjoy the good things in life; traveling, good food, family, friends, and love.  The sky was never a limit for him on what he wanted to achieve. Ted retired from the aviation business in 2000, moving to Slatington, PA with his wife Rose.  They resided there until he left us.  He will always be remembered for many things, but most of all, we won't forget him as a wonderful pilot and business partner, the best friend anyone could have (even to his animals), a caring father, a compassionate husband,  a loving grandfather, a good brother and son.  He certainly made an impression on life and will never be forgotten.  He lives on through all that know him and have memories of him.  Ted's kids have nine grandchildren all together; Jerilyn, Adam, Eric, Amanda, Alice, Marty, Nicholas, Mary, and Aiden.  So the circle of life continues on, with a little of him in all of us.