Leon Jay Sleight

Leon Jay Sleight, 79, of Long Beach, Mississippi, passed away after a long and brave battle with lung cancer on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.
He was born in Glens Falls, NY on May 1, 1936, the son of the late Henry Jay and Helen Adelaide (Bennett) Sleight. He was a member of the first graduating class of ten students at Queensbury High School in 1953. Upon graduation from high school, he joined the United States Air Force where he served in active duty from 1954 to 1958. In 1961, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in engineering from Mississippi State University. He later resided in Deerfield, NY and worked for General Electric in Utica, NY as an electrical engineer and was also a member of a local blues band as a guitarist and singer.
In 1968, he rejoined the armed forces in active duty, this time as a member of the United States Navy and the Fighting Seabees, serving his country during two tours in the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Bronze Star. During his Navy career, he served on bases throughout the world including Okinawa, Guam and Diego Garcia and later served a tour at The Pentagon. He received his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1985 out of the Gulfport Naval Base in Gulfport, MS as a Lieutenant Commander. Upon retirement from the military, Leon worked as a deputy in the Harrison County Sheriff's Department in Mississippi and later as a swimming coach for the city of Gulfport, MS.
Throughout his life, Leon enjoyed many varied interests including cooking, coaching swimming, playing softball, bowling, genealogy, repairing small engines, and was an accomplished musician. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Leon was a licensed pilot and was involved in stock car racing. He was immensely proud of his service to his country, and in particular of his time with the Seabees, and later as a military veteran.
Leon is survived by his sister Virginia M. Sleight of Queensbury, NY; his three children and one son-in-law, Karl Jay Sleight of Saratoga Springs, NY, Karen (Sleight) and Ethan Korotzer of New Hartford, NY; and his devoted caretaker and daughter Lea (Sleight) Renot of Long Beach, MS; and his grandchildren, Daniel Jay Sleight, Shaun Renot, and Julian and Ivy Korotzer.
A private family graveside service will be performed at the Pineview Cemetery in Queensbury, NY in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the American Lung Association in memory of Leon Jay Sleight (http://www.lung.org).
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach is serving the family. An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.