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Dalton L. "Lefty" Leftwich, LTCOL USAF (RET), passed away peacefully at his home in Corrales, New Mexico on January 9, 2011. LTCOL Leftwich was born in Nocona, TX on January 10, 1928. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948. After attending SMU he resumed his military career in 1951, but in the United States Air Force, first as a radar officer, then as a test pilot. He subsequently earned degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering at Oklahoma State University in 1962. He finished jet pilot training at Bryan Air Force base in 1952 and was assigned to duty in Japan, where he trained pilots for the Japanese air defense force. During this duty he became fluent in Japanese and developed a life-long interest in the Japanese culture and language. Back stateside, he was assigned to advanced flight training, including a tour at "Top Gun" school in Nevada. During his military career, LTCOL Leftwich flew most of the Air Force fighters in service at that time. In 1967, LTCOL Leftwich flew over 100 air strike missions over North Vietnam and was awarded the Air Force Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Silver Stars. As a result of his valor in aerial combat over the Red River in Southeast Asia, he was honored with membership in the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association. He retired from the Air Force in 1970 and returned to Dallas, where he served on the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport Board. After his retirement from DFW Airport, he was a realtor for Ebby Halliday Realtors and an international aviation and business consultant, expanding his spoken languages to include German. He fully retired to Corrales, NM in 2003, where he could be seen taking brisk walks around the village every morning. LTCOL Leftwich was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette; and his son Lee. He is survived by his brother James M. Leftwich; and sister Amy Fikes, both of Dallas; daughters, Lorraine Leftwich of Corrales, NM, Elizabeth Leftwich Harvey of Coppell, TX, and Olivia Lynn Leftwich of Corrales; as well as granddaughters Drew Leftwich Bowman, Leslie Leftwich Bowman, and Audrey Harvey. Funeral services and burial will be held in the chapel of Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 15, 2011. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 9500 Montgomery Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 505-266-4473. Those who wish to express 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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