Leslie K. Fenlon Jr.

VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Leslie Knapp Fenlon Jr. passed away Jan. 17, 2011. He is survived by his son, Leslie K. Fenlon III; his daughter- in-law, Evelyn C. Fenlon of Colorado Springs; four grandchildren, one great-grandson and one brother, John W. Fenlon of Appleton, Wisc. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles E. Fenlon also from Appleton, his wife Mary Jane Kinkaid Fenlon, and his daughter Karen Fenlon Miller of Newark, Del. Les was born in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Dr. L. K. Fenlon and Lois Wichman Fenlon.

He entered the Navy in 1944 as an enlisted sailor, served as a hospital corpsman, attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1949. He had met Janie during his plebe year and they married the day after graduation. They recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Les was on active duty as a surface warfare officer until he retired in 1976. Between sea tours Les taught Navigation and Seamanship at the Naval Academy.

While on active duty he earned a Master of Arts degree in international relations and organization from The American University. After he retired Les obtained a Master of Arts degree in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.

After retirement Les devoted his time to volunteer activities serving successively as president of the Lynnhaven Colony Civic League, chairman of the Great Neck Association of Civic Leagues, and, for two terms, as president of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations, and in environmental affairs, alongside Janie as a dedicated volunteer in the Visitors Center at First Landing State Park.

He was the founder and treasurer of Friends of First Landing and a founding member of Scenic Virginia, serving on the Advisory Board.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, Virginia Beach. His ashes will be interred, along with Janie's, in the Columbarium at the U.S. Naval Academy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 3040 Holland Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. Online condolences may be made at hdoliver.com.