Frank Jefferson Mcleod Jr.

COLONEL FRANK JEFFERSON MCLEOD Jr., age 79, of Smyrna, Georgia passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022, following years of declining health. Frank was born in Ancon, Panama Canal Zone on September 24th, 1942. He was the son of the late Frank Jefferson McLeod and Alda Lorraine Madden McLeod.

Colonel McLeod grew up in the former Panama Canal Zone, where he loved to hunt, fish and especially enjoyed going through the Panama Canal in the annual Cayuco Race. He participated in Boy Scouts and attended the 1957 Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pa. He was also an Eagle Scout. He enjoyed music and assisted with the Margarita Union Church Choir. Frank was Valedictorian of the 1960 Class of Cristobal High School, where he was a member of the ROTC. He attended the University of Virginia. He was President of the Glee Club and a member of the Air Force ROTC.

He graduated with a degree in Astronomy. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the Air Force and after flight School, began his career as an Air Force Pilot. Colonel McLeod served in Vietnam as a fighter pilot and flew a F-4 Phantom II in 100 missions over North Vietnam under the command of Colonel Robin Olds. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the Vietnam War, Frank served as a flight instructor and later joined the Georgia Air National Guard. He also earned his MS in Physics from Georgia State University. He was attached to the Pentagon for 10 years and then returned to Georgia, where he served until his retirement.

He loved to sing and enjoyed participating in a Barber Shop Quartet. Colonel McLeod was a member of the American Legion Post 160 of Smyrna, Ga., where he had many friends and had served as Financial Officer. He was also a member of the Panama Canal Society.

Colonel McLeod was preceded in death by a brother, William Sumner McLeod of Poulan, Ga.; a sister, Mary Rebecca “Becky” McLeod Herrington and husband Harold Wallace Herrington of Calhoun, Ga. He is survived by a brother, Keith Madden McLeod ( Susan) of Roebuck, SC; a niece; Kelly Elizabeth McLeod of Moore, SC. and a nephew, Keith Madden McLeod, Jr. of Fletcher, NC. Frank is also survived by longtime friends Richard Manus of Sebring, Florida; Barbara McGee of Smyrna, Ga.; Kris Barlow of Greensboro, Ga.; Donna Beckley of Smyrna Ga. and many dear friends from the Panama Canal Zone and American Legion Post 160, Smyrna, Georgia.

Colonel McLeod loved and served America well. A service with full honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on a date yet to be determined.

Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 160 of Smyrna, Georgia 160 Legion Dr. Smyrna, GA 30080.