Leslie Ortt, Jr.

Leslie James (Junior) was the first son born to Emma Schuster Ortt and Lesley J. Ortt, Sr., on October 23rd, 1928. Years later a brother, Larry, arrived and they all lived together in a modest home in Chicago and survived on limited means. To improve his economic position, young Leslie joined the United States Army Air Core toward the end of World War II.  Ten years into his military career with what became the United States Air Force, he married the love of his life, Diana Rose Vestey, whom he met at a square dance, of all places.  Within 10 years their house was teeming with 6 rambunctious children and with all those mouths to feed it was necessary for dad to work an extra job: thus, Air Force Master Sergeant by day and convenience store clerk by night.  When he was home, his strict, military-style parenting kept his large brood in line.

With his dearest Dinie by his side, Dad kept a roof over our heads, food on the table and clothes on our backs.  Despite his busy schedule he found time for his hobbies which included slot car racing, leaded glass creations, a men’s hardball league, ceramics, fixing cars and general tinkering around the house.  Fittingly enough, he and mom became avid square dancers and round dancers (as they met at a dance) and enjoyed that pastime for 20+ years.  An avid card player, he relished daily cribbage matches with Mom and late-night bridge and pinochle games with their friends, which lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

After twenty-two years in the Air Force, Dad retired with an honorable discharge and putting his mechanical prowess to work he became an instructor at an aviation maintenance/avionics school in Broomfield, Colorado.  He was an FAA certified airplane mechanic and taught his students Airframe and Power Plant.  Ultimately, he was promoted to Vice President of training and maintained that position until he retired.

Our dad was an adoring husband, a dedicated veteran, and a proud father who valued his children and their achievements.  Family gatherings through the years grew ever larger with the additions of spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He always marveled at what he and mom “started”.

Dad’s earthly journey lasted for 93 years and on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, he went quietly into the light to reunite with his beloved Diana whom we had lost earlier this year.

Leslie is survived by his brother Larry Ortt (TJ Meehan) and his six children:  Michael (Rebecca), Lori (Gary), Timothy (Joan), Julie, Patrick (Christopher) and David (Erika), and his 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

A private, family service will be held on Thursday, September 1st, 2022, at 10am at Fort Logan National Cemetery, where dad (and mom) will be interred with full military honors.  Together for eternity…