Person:Robert O'Leary (2)

Robert J. O'Leary (March 12, 1919 - February 28, 2007)

Col. (Ret.) Robert J. O’Leary, 87 of Las Cruces, NM died Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at Arbors of Del Rey Assisted Living Center. He was born March 12, 1919 in Glenburn, North Dakota to Jeremiah and Maud O’Leary. Col O’Leary was raised on a farm in North Dakota and attended Minot (N.D.) State Teachers College prior to entering in the Army as an enlisted man in 1941. He received his commission as a second lieutenant after completing officer’s training school in 1942. He was promoted to Colonel in the regular army in July 1967. During his military career Col. O’Leary moved from Tank Corps to Field Artillery, Anti Aircraft Artillery to Guided Missile. He served in the European Theater during WW II as the commander of a Tank Destroyer Unit. He served in Japan from 1946 to 1949, in Korea during 1956 to 1957 on a second tour in Europe during 1959 – 1962 and in Turkey from 1967 to 1969. Among Col. O’Leary’s achievements were the Army Distinguished Service Medal; the Bronze Star Medal; the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster; the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; the Army of Occupation Medal of Japan; WWII Victory Medal; the Army Staff Badge among many others. In retirement he worked with the Boy Scout and Girl Scout Councils, the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Library delivery to the homebound. He was also a Eucharistic Minister for the homebound. Bob is survived by three sons, Jeremiah P. O’Leary and his wife Nancy of Glen Ellen, Ill.; Col. (Ret.) Robert Charles O’Leary and his wife Patricia of Springfield, Missouri; Dennis John O’Leary and his wife Celeste of Fredericksburg, Virginia and son-in-law Col. (Ret.) Lee Alloway of Falls Church, Virginia. Two daughters, Jerry Louise Shriver and her husband George of Beckley, West Virginia; and Kelly O’Leary Burnett of Las Cruces, NM. One sister, Lucille Halpin of Lacy, Washington. Also surviving Robert are 15 grandchildren, Allison Nettles, Megan Taylor, Evan Shriver, Jennifer Black, Holly Alloway, Christine Bussman, Patrick O’Leary, Joshua O’Leary, Rebecca O’Leary, Zachary O’Leary, Heather Yeghnazar, Michael Burnett, Brendan O’Leary, Chuck O’Leary and Caitlin O’Leary, and three great grandchildren, Piper Black, Andrew Bussman and Mason Nettles. Besides his parents, Jeremiah Patrick O’Leary and Mary Margaret (Maud) McRae O’Lrary, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, in December 2006, a son, Michael O’Leary, a daughter, Peggy Jo Alloway, two sisters, Theresa Hanson and Josephine Williams, and one brother, Julian O’Leary, who died in infancy. At Bob’s request cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will take place at 10 AM on Monday, March 5, 2007 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1327 N. Miranda. The Rite of Committal and burial of his cremains will be at 2:30 PM also on Monday at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors.