Leon Clarence Cheek, Jr.

Cary – Leon C. Cheek, Jr., retired Marine Corps fighter pilot and Civil Engineer, died on July 21, 2016 at 10:10pm. He was 93. He was born August 20, 1922 in north Chatham County, the first son of the late Leon C. Cheek and Jessie Williams Cheek. He attended public school in Chapel Hill and entered UNC-Chapel Hill in late 1939. Following his time at UNC, he was employed in Washington, D.C. at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. With the advent of World War II, Mr. Cheek volunteered for flight training in the U.S. Navy, and at Pensacola , FL in early 1944 was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was designated a fighter pilot. Upon release from active duty in 1946, he entered the School of Engineering at Duke University and received his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering in 1949. He was employed as a Design Engineer by William C. Olsen & Associates of Raleigh. Mr. Cheek was recalled to active duty by the Marine Corps in 1951 and flew more than fifty combat missions over North Korea as a night fighter pilot during 1952-53. He then served as City Engineer for the City of Charlotte beginning in 1957, and in 1969 rejoined the William C. Olsen design firm in Raleigh as a managing partner. During the remainder of his professional life, Lt.Col. Cheek actively managed the design and construction of significant improvement projects for water and wastewater systems throughout North Carolina and parts of Virginia and South Carolina for public and private clients. He was a member of and leader in numerous engineering organizations, both national and local. Cheek was a life-long Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, a Deacon and Elder Emeritus at First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh and for many years was a Trustee of Glenaire Continuing Care Retirement Center. He is survived by Carolyn, his loving wife of 37 years, and one devoted son, Kevin; one brother, Dr. Edwin R. Cheek & wife Pauline of Weaverville, NC; sister-in-law, Leah Cheek of Spartanburg, SC and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother Dr. William S. Cheek. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 1:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh.  The family will receive friends following the service.  A private committal service will be held earlier that morning. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Capital Campaign Fund or the First Presbyterian Church Music Fund 112 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601 ; Glenaire Continuing Care Center, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511; or Transitions Hospice Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.