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Edwin E. Lease, 86, a resident of Albuquerque since 1949, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2009. Edwin was born February 22, 1922 the son of Walter P. and Lura L. Chapman Lease in Wolf, Ohio. Drafted into the United States Army Air Corps in 1941, the 20 year old Lease found himself in the middle of bullet-riddled European skies fighting as a gunner and flight engineer of the 322nd Bomb Squadron, flying 63 missions in a B26 Marauder medium bomber - a precarious plane that earned wartime nicknames like "the Flying coffin" and "the Widowmaker" because of its small wings; and high number of takeoff accidents. He had been employed by the Kinney Brick Company for 20 years and made numerous friends and acquaintances in the business world. As a retired salesman and veteran of World War II, sharing your story isn't the easiest thing to do. After all, those who survived the Great Depression and World War II aren't a group known for wartime grandstanding. Edwin was a member of the Surtoma Club, and AA. He enjoyed spending time with his wife Joline traveling and making many friends. He trailblazed his way to Hot Springs (now Truth or Consequences) and never looked back. "When I saw all these beautiful mountains, the hot springs, the Jemez fir, I knew this was where I wanted to live for the rest of my life." He enjoyed his home at Cochiti Lake and was very involved with the community. He never proclaimed to be a religious man. "I'm very spiritual though. In his 86 years, he says he has prayed five times - "when I was shot down, when I had lung surgery, when I wanted to quit drinking and when I had cancer." "I only ask for help with my health, never for money or material things." Edwin was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years, Joline; three sisters, Rachel Baum, Marjorie Drovdahl, and Mabel Cisneros; eldest son, Richard F. Lease; grandson, Troy Edwin Lease; and step grandson, Aaron Bigbie. He is survived by his children, Marsha Atchley and husband George of Alabama, Edwin (Butch)E. Lease and wife Cathleen of AZ, Timothy R. Lease and wife Jacque of Los Lunas, Thomas Lease and wife Sondra of Rio Rancho; step-children, Rick Dow and wife Carol of Camarillo, CA, Nancy Dow of Albuquerque, and Kathy (Dow) Wilson of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Anthony Lease, David Lease and wife Vianey, Timothy R. Lease II and wife Victoria, Jayme Lease, Shawn Lease, Megan Lease McLaughlin and husband Mathew, Audra Stewart, Danielle Atchley, great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Chase Lease, Nolan Lease, David Lease, Jr., Ilianna Lease, Karlee Dearholt, Mathew Atchley, Haley Atchley, Elijah McLaughlin, Michael Fausto, and Stephen Fausto; four step grandchildren; seven step great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. A Memorial Service for Edwin will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Rd. at Meadowlark Ln., Rio Rancho with Reverend Warren Chapman Officiating. Interment will be Friday, February 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe with Military Honors presented by the VFW Post 2951. Honorary pallbearers will be Anthony Lease, Randy Lease, David Lease, and Shawn Lease. In lieu of flowers, it has been suggested that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimers Association of New Mexico, 9500 Montgomery Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, New Mexico Chapter, 4004 Carlisle Blvd., Albuquerque, NM 87107. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 (505) 892-9920
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