Leo Stanley Meysing, 81, was born June 7, 1929, in Marion County, to Joseph and Mary Margaret (Reznicek) Meysing.
He died April 24, 2011, of natural causes in Portland.
Leo grew up on the family farm and received his elementary education in the District 38 school. He attended Pilsen High School and Conception High School in Missouri, where he graduated in 1946 at the age of 17. He then enrolled and graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Junior College in Hays in 1948. Leo received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Kansas where he was in the ROTC and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
Upon completion of his active duty, he moved to Portland and enrolled at New York City University Graduate Law School in Manhattan, earning his master’s degree in taxation. Leo then returned to Portland, where he began his successful law practice as a taxation attorney.
He was a member of the Oregon State Bar Association for 54 years, as well as a member of the Kansas State Bar.
He met Kathryn Ann “Kay” Kuckenberg and they married Sept. 29, 1962. They had three sons, Erich, Henry, and Paul.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Kay; son, Henry; parents; and eldest brother, B.J. Meysing.
He is survived by his sons, Erich of Canby, Ore., and Paul of Northern California; brothers, Paul Meysing of Lincolnville and Richard Meysing of Garden City; sister, Patsy Waner of Shawnee, Okla.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Leo loved to hunt and fish on his various farms. One of his passions was to assist in the sainthood of his friend, Father Emil Kapaun, who was a U.S. Army chaplain who died in a North Korean prison camp. Leo was a life member of the Arlington Club.
A Catholic Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2011, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, 1716 N.W. Davis St., Portland.
Following the Mass, his friends and family are also invited to join in the celebration of Leo’s life at the Arlington Club, 811 S.W. Salmon St., Portland.
Vault entombment will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 333 S.W. Skyline Blvd., Portland.
Remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are by Zeller Chapel of the Roses, (503) 287-1155, and http://www.zellerchapeloftheroses.com.