FAYETTEVILLE — George “Leonard” McCandless

was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Leonard passed away at age 82. He was the son of the late Georgia and Eral McCandless.

He leaves behind devoted wife Martha Albright McCandless; children Debbie Strahan of Maumelle and Don McCandless of Monette, Mo.; sister Wynona Mason of Salina, Kan.; grandchildren Heather Mason, Paige McFadden, Grant Mason and Thomas McCandless; and great-grandchildren Gabriel McCandless, Scout McFadden and James Mason.

After finishing high school, Leonard joined the 82nd Airborne Division. He later became a member of the U.S. Parachute Association and the Aircraft Owners & Pilot Association. He also became a jumpmaster and started Arkansas Falling Stars Skydiving Team training others to skydive. He made 2,187 jumps out of a perfectly good airplane!

Outside of his service to our country, Leonard was a lifetime resident of Fayetteville. He retired from Fayetteville Glass after 32 years. He was a founding member of Sequoyah United Methodist Church. He helped to establish the Ozark Military Museum which is now the Arkansas Air & Military Museum.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, at 1:30 pm. Due to current pandemic concerns Leonard’s in-person service will be private. For those wishing to join us virtually via Livestream, please click the link to Sequoyah United Methodist Church’s Youtube channel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sequoyah United Methodist Church or the Arkansas Air and Military Museum. Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com .