Leonard Potocki's Obituary
Leonard S. Potocki
Leonard S. Potocki, U.S. Marine Corps retiree and beloved husband and father, passed away after a valiant struggle with cancer on Monday, August 22, 2011. He will be laid to rest with military honors during a graveside funeral service on Friday, August 26, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, Lakewood, WA. Leonard was born on Christmas day, December 25, 1921, in Tacoma, WA to Theodore and Mary (Cromoga) Potocki. He grew up and attended school in Tacoma. Leonard joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Included in his illustrious military career was the landing for the battle of Okinawa, Japan; as a forward military observer with landing forces at Inchon, Korea, earning the Bronze Star medal for valor; and, the infamous Battle of the Chosin reservoir in Korea. Sgt. Major Potocki honorably retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1960. He began a successful second career in 1961, as a Port of Seattle Police Officer, until his retirement. Leonard was active in the V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Milton Post 11401. He enjoyed swimming, the outdoors and especially elk and deer hunting, and fishing with his sons and friends. Family get-togethers and holidays were extremely important to Leonard and he prided himself on having a close, loving family. Leonard will be dearly missed by his wife of sixty-two years, Louise B. Potocki of Tacoma, WA, his six children, Bruce (Cheryl) Potocki, La Mesa, CA, Mark (Tsugiko) Potocki, Los Alamos, NM, Carla Potocki, Seattle, WA (deceased), Sharon Anderson, Federal Way, WA, Jeff (Shellee) Potocki, Snohomish, WA, and Jane (Dale) Rene', Tacoma, WA, grandchildren Christian, Tonya, Emily, Jennifer, Jenny, Martin, Sarah, Alyssa, Max and Chase. Clergy: Father Michael Durka. Military Rites: Marine Corps Honor Guard. A reception will follow the service celebrating Leonard's 89 full and happy years. Semper Fi!
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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