Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 3 Line: 64

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Caroline R. Tomkins

Leighton Ray Tomkins, Sr., born July 28, 1926, died February 8, 1996
Boca Raton, Florida

Married 53 years to Caroline Rose Nowicki
Two children: Karen Lee Zinke and Leighton Ray Tomkins, Jr.

Four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren

Aircraft: Stearman PT-17, North American AT-6, North American P-51, Mitchell B-25, Piper J-3, McDonnell Douglas DC-3, DC-4, Lockheed Constellation 0-49, McDonnell Douglas DC-6B, Boeing 727 100-200, McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, Republic Sea-Bee (RC3B9F), Piper PA-23 (Geronimo)

United States Army Air Corps following graduation from Upper Merion High School in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania. Leighton, nicknamed Lee, married Caroline in Weldon, North Carolina. Army Air Corps Basic Soldier Training in Miami Beach, Florida; Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Primary Flight Training at Carlstrom Field, Arcadia, Florida, flying the Stearman PT-17; continued to Shaw Field, Sumpter, South Carolina, flying AT-6; Napier Field, Dothan, Alabama, flying AT-6 and graduated with Class 45-C receiving his Flight Officer's Wings on May 23, 1945. Next a transfer to Eastern training at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama, flying P-51; Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas; and Luke Field, Litchfield Park, Arizona. So happy when V-J Day and war over, decided to return to civilian life to build a house for his family on Trooper Road near Valley Forge, PA. Also built houses in Bryn Mawr, PA.

Purchased a J-3 to update Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Instrument Rating yearning to become an airline pilot. Capital Airline hired Lee on June 5, 1955 and a few years later, United Airlines purchased C.A.L. Lee was elated and flew hundreds of thousands passengers smoothly and safely to their destinations; accumulated approximately 33,000 hours in over 31 years with the Airline until mandatory retirement on August 1, 1986.

His love of aviation involved his son, Leighton Ray Tomkins, Jr. as co-founder of Air Executive Corporate Air Charter to fly private and government charters in the continental United States and Caribbean.

Lee also co-founded with his son, Leighton, Jr, KWA, a commuter airline flying in southeastern United States.

During an annual physical in 1994, it was discovered that Lee had developed a heart condition, which led him to spend more time reading, fishing, and boating; scheduling activities approved by the cardiologist. He became an ardent Bible student and historian. Two years later, the Lord called him home on February 8, 1996.

He was a wonderful exemplary family role model as a husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother-in-law, son-in-law, and best friend!

If I go to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:8-10