The memorial service for Anthony Ray “Andy” Leary will take place on Monday, July 26th, 2021 at 2:00 pm in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Captain Stephen J. Shaw, US Navy, Norfolk, Virginia.
The service can be viewed via the live stream link on www.beckerfuneral.com or on the Facebook page of the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
Anthony (Andy) Ray Leary died on July 16, 2021 at Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City at the age of 59.
Andy was born on October 3, 1961 in Lawton to Carol Marcelline (Berryhill) and Richard Emerson “Dick” Leary. Andy grew up in Fletcher and Lawton, attending Fletcher Elementary School, Robert E. Lee Elementary, Central Junior High, and Lawton High School, which he graduated as a proud member of the 1979 class. He learned the value of a strong work ethic. Working as a newsboy at 12 and an ice cream seller at 14; he also had the opportunity to work at A-OK Rubber Stamp – while participating in youth baseball and wrestling at the same time. He played college baseball at Lawton High School and was recognized for his exceptional skills on the diamond by receiving a baseball scholarship to Cameron University in 1979.
Like his brothers, another of his passions was the theater. In his senior year he played as George Gibbs in Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” and he also played John in “Lion In Winter” at the Lawton Community Theater. He was a true Renaissance man at a young age.
The Leary Brothers grew up in the Mission Village neighborhood in a house full of laughter and friends who are still good friends to this day. Oh the stories the little house might share – all good and happy that create lifelong memories. On Saturdays in the fall, Andy could be counted on to cheer on his favorite sports team, Oklahoma Sooners Football. #Boomer
Andy married Lisa Lundquist in May 1980 at Central Baptist Church in Lawton. They spent their married lives in Lawton, The Colony, Texas, Owasso and Choctaw. Professionally, Andy had experience as an employee of large companies and among mentor bosses. He has had a long career in software engineering for both commercial and defense companies. Through his work, he has had the opportunity to travel the world to work and visit Ireland, Bulgaria, Peru and Israel. At work, he made real and lasting friendships that he cultivated over the years. Andy’s last job was as the software development manager for the C-17 Avionics / Flight Control Project at Boeing, Oklahoma City, under the kind direction of Trung Nguyen.
Shared by a friend, “I will always cherish the times we worked together in Oklahoma and Texas. He’s a great friend and the hardest worker in the business. If you follow his example, you will succeed. My family and I are grateful to know him. He always went out of his way to help his friends and colleagues. ”This is Andy Leary … the first to arrive, the last to leave and never miss the opportunity to be friends or help others.
Over the years, Andy remained active in recreational sports, including a long softball career. Andy civically took part in many individual volunteer initiatives and with volunteer organizations ranging from the PTA to Boy Scouts to sponsorships, youth sports coaches and theaters, and served others at the annual NTX Soup-N-Bowl in Texas. In the early 1990s he was President of the Lawton Jaycees.
Those who remember Andy are his wife Lisa Leary; Son Zach Leary and wife Kasey of Justin, Texas; Daughter Anna Newport and husband Josh from The Colony, Texas and daughter Elise Leary from McKinney, Texas.
He loved deeply and lived for his six beloved grandchildren, who gave him boundless joy. You are Jace Newport; Jack Maloney; Ava Newport; Lauren Leary; Luke Maloney; and Meredith Leary. Andy’s brothers, also Andy’s closest friends and allies whom he loved and admired, include Victor Leary and his wife Martha McCord Leary of Lawton; Rick Leary and Kara from The Colony, Texas and Steve Leary from Dallas, Texas; his stepbrothers: Lorance (Tino) Lorentino from Burleson, Texas; William Lorentino and wife Michelle von Eufaula; Quanah Lorentino from Cache; and James Lorentino of Wichita, Kansas; and mother-in-law, Vera E. (Folsom) Lundquist of Choctaw and many other family members.
Andy preceded in death his mother, Carol Marcelline Lorentino; Stepfather William “Bill” Lorentino; Father, Richard Emerson “Dick” Leary; Father-in-law Leroy E. Lundquist; Sister-in-law Gretchen Dyer; Maternal grandparents, Dovie Ione (Liles) Berryhill and Hayden Berryhill; Paternal grandparents, May (Bredan) Leary Resteck and Robert W. Leary.
Anthony (Andy) Ray Leary was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer on July 6, 2021 and died ten days later on July 16, 2021. Andy was a 14-year-old survivor of stage IVb esophageal cancer. Because of the fight against rare cancers, Andy donated his body to cancer research in hopes of saving others from being diagnosed with cancer.
Instead of flowers, at Andy’s last request, a scholarship fund was set up at Lawton High School in Andy’s name, which is given annually to a student pursuing a college education and is a student athlete who plays baseball or a student who is in the field of acting joins Cameron University. Both areas that gave him great pleasure!
To donate to the LHS Andy Leary Scholarship Fund, please visit either https://gofund.me/4412e36d or send checks to Lawton High School, Attn: Finance Secretary, 601 NW Ft. Sill Blvd., Lawton, OK 73507,
On the note line of your check, please add ANDY LEARY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS.
If you have heartburn please visit www.get-checked.org. Heartburn can cause cancer, get examined!
Quotes:
“We just don’t recognize the most important moments in life as they happen. At that time I thought, “Well, there will be other days.” I didn’t know this was the only day. ”- Dr. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham, Field of Dreams
“… It should be difficult. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would. Difficulty makes it great! ”- Jimmy Dugan, own league
“There’s no crying in baseball!” – Jimmy Dugan, own league
An online guest book and condolence cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com
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