In Memory Of
Lester N. Longbrook
1920
2015
Lester N. Longbrook
July 20, 1920 — June 19, 2015
Lester N. Longbrook
July 20, 1920 – June 19, 2015
LAKEWOOD, COLORADO – Les graduated to heaven to be forever with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, just one month before his 95th birthday. When he was diagnosed with pneumonia, he stated that he was almost home and then tried to sing "The Old Rugged Cross." He was born to Samuel B. Longbrook and Gladys V. Longbrook in Cortez, Colorado.
Les graduated from Leadville High School in Leadville, Colorado.
Les trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior while attending the Vine Street Bible Chapel in Denver at the age of 20. He never wavered from his belief in Jesus Christ and knew that death would bring him into the presence of his Savior, not based on his own merit, but because he trusted in the sacrifice of Christ on his behalf. "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
At the age of 21 one of his friends took him flying in a Piper J3 Cub. He enrolled in the Civil Pilot Training Program and received his private pilot's license on June 13, 1941. He took a deferment from entering the Army after a discussion with his Uncle Roy Kirkpatrick who urged him to get his degree as he believed the military would be in need of officers. After joining the Army Air Corps In 1944 he took his first flying instruction as an aviation cadet at Ryan Field, Hemer, CA in a Ryan PT22. Les was the first cadet in his squadron to solo and was, therefore, entitled to wear the white scarf. After receiving his multi-engine training, he was selected as student officer and commissioned a Second Lieutenant on September 8, 1944.
After receiving training with all his combat crew of copilot, bombardier, navigator and gunners in a B17 at Ardmore, Oklahoma, he went to Topeka, Kansas for final staging. The crews that arrived three days earlier went on to England and Les' crew was reassigned to various stations for B29 training. Les was reassigned to fly returning B17's to various Air Force Bases around the country where they would be dismantled. Les was disappointed in not going to England, but soon realized that the Lord's hand was in all this because only one in every five crews ever made it back home.
It was after he got out of the Army Air Corps that he returned to Denver to finish college at the University of Denver. He graduated with a Bachelor 's Degree in Business Management. While going to school he worked part-time in the catalog department of Montgomery Wards. Using roller skates, he was filling orders as fast as he could.
After graduation from college, he was hired by Armstrong Cork Company and sent him to orientation in Fayetteville, PA. He arrived on the July 4th weekend so he decided to attend a Bible Conference at Greenwood Hills, PA. That is where he met Grace Enos Kerr on July 4, 1945. Les met Grace, a widow whose husband was killed in action in Europe. She had a three-year old son at that time. Les and Grace were married 6 months later. Les is survived by his three children, Tim, Connie and Court, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Les was active in his church, serving as the Treasurer for many years. He was active in the Sheriff's Mounted Posse in Jefferson County, CO. After selling Piper aircraft for many years, his second occupation was that of Safety Engineer in the construction industry. Les worked for several large construction companies and was often called upon as an expert witness in court cases. He was nominated for and received Safety Engineer of the Year through the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Arrangements are being handled by Newcomer Funeral Home, 901 South Sheridan Boulevard, Lakewood, CO. The celebration of life service will be held on June 30th at 1:00 pm followed by a short service at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Everyone is welcome to the home of Bill and Norine Rask, 10295 West Warren Avenue, Lakewood for refreshments and to reminisce with family and friends.
On line condolences may be left on Newcomer's website: www.newcomerdenver.com.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to Camp Elim, 5567 Painted Rocks Road, Woodland Park, CO 80863.
July 20, 1920 – June 19, 2015
LAKEWOOD, COLORADO – Les graduated to heaven to be forever with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, just one month before his 95th birthday. When he was diagnosed with pneumonia, he stated that he was almost home and then tried to sing "The Old Rugged Cross." He was born to Samuel B. Longbrook and Gladys V. Longbrook in Cortez, Colorado.
Les graduated from Leadville High School in Leadville, Colorado.
Les trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior while attending the Vine Street Bible Chapel in Denver at the age of 20. He never wavered from his belief in Jesus Christ and knew that death would bring him into the presence of his Savior, not based on his own merit, but because he trusted in the sacrifice of Christ on his behalf. "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
At the age of 21 one of his friends took him flying in a Piper J3 Cub. He enrolled in the Civil Pilot Training Program and received his private pilot's license on June 13, 1941. He took a deferment from entering the Army after a discussion with his Uncle Roy Kirkpatrick who urged him to get his degree as he believed the military would be in need of officers. After joining the Army Air Corps In 1944 he took his first flying instruction as an aviation cadet at Ryan Field, Hemer, CA in a Ryan PT22. Les was the first cadet in his squadron to solo and was, therefore, entitled to wear the white scarf. After receiving his multi-engine training, he was selected as student officer and commissioned a Second Lieutenant on September 8, 1944.
After receiving training with all his combat crew of copilot, bombardier, navigator and gunners in a B17 at Ardmore, Oklahoma, he went to Topeka, Kansas for final staging. The crews that arrived three days earlier went on to England and Les' crew was reassigned to various stations for B29 training. Les was reassigned to fly returning B17's to various Air Force Bases around the country where they would be dismantled. Les was disappointed in not going to England, but soon realized that the Lord's hand was in all this because only one in every five crews ever made it back home.
It was after he got out of the Army Air Corps that he returned to Denver to finish college at the University of Denver. He graduated with a Bachelor 's Degree in Business Management. While going to school he worked part-time in the catalog department of Montgomery Wards. Using roller skates, he was filling orders as fast as he could.
After graduation from college, he was hired by Armstrong Cork Company and sent him to orientation in Fayetteville, PA. He arrived on the July 4th weekend so he decided to attend a Bible Conference at Greenwood Hills, PA. That is where he met Grace Enos Kerr on July 4, 1945. Les met Grace, a widow whose husband was killed in action in Europe. She had a three-year old son at that time. Les and Grace were married 6 months later. Les is survived by his three children, Tim, Connie and Court, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Les was active in his church, serving as the Treasurer for many years. He was active in the Sheriff's Mounted Posse in Jefferson County, CO. After selling Piper aircraft for many years, his second occupation was that of Safety Engineer in the construction industry. Les worked for several large construction companies and was often called upon as an expert witness in court cases. He was nominated for and received Safety Engineer of the Year through the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Arrangements are being handled by Newcomer Funeral Home, 901 South Sheridan Boulevard, Lakewood, CO. The celebration of life service will be held on June 30th at 1:00 pm followed by a short service at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Everyone is welcome to the home of Bill and Norine Rask, 10295 West Warren Avenue, Lakewood for refreshments and to reminisce with family and friends.
On line condolences may be left on Newcomer's website: www.newcomerdenver.com.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to Camp Elim, 5567 Painted Rocks Road, Woodland Park, CO 80863.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lester N. Longbrook, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Starts at 1:00 pm (Mountain time)
Newcomer - West Metro Chapel
Interment
Tuesday, June 30, 2015 2:30 PM Fort Logan National Cemetery - Staging Area/Shelter "B"
Guestbook
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