Leo J. Demers, Jr.

Published 10:16 am Monday, July 22, 2024

Leo J. Demers, Jr.

March 1, 1936 – July 5, 2024

Leo J. Demers Jr., 88, a familiar face and voice in Redmond circles, passed away July 5, 2024 at his daughter’s home in Bend, ending his fight with “TMB” (Too Many Birthdays!, as Leo would often chuckle).

Leo (Jr.) was born in Quincy, Illinois to Leo “Ace” John Demers (Sr.), the son of a Greek immigrant, and his wife Dorothy (Long) Demers. Leo grew up a hardworking and dedicated teenager, acquiring many skills in the aviation trade, always fascinated at the sights and sounds of all things mechanical, whether it was a car, truck or airplane. While he started out sweeping the shop and assisting with the mechanics in Ace’s aviation business, it soon led to Leo piloting airplanes and obtaining his commercial pilot’s license, his airframe and power plant mechanic’s license, and his certificate as an authorized airworthiness inspector, all before he was age 20.

He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salem in 1954. He always knew he was destined for a career in flying, including crop dusting and aviation mechanics. He was a natural, having already obtained his pilot’s license at age 15. Leo was chosen for a position on the Civil Air Patrol foreign exchange program for a one-month tour of France under supervision of the U.S. Air Force, where he was proud to serve as an ambassador as well as gain additional flying experience, including in a glider and a small French biplane.

Leo married Geri Donlon in 1956 and soon thereafter their family grew with the addition of two boys and two girls, Mike, Patty, Debbie and Mark. He moved his family to Madras a few years later to pursue more crop care by air. More flying time, more aviation mechanics, and unique challenges all kept him busy, including larger airplanes such as B-18s, PBYs, DC-7s, a C 39, and a B-17, as well as larger areas to spray for crop dusting and pioneering aerial forest fire suppression. Leo invented droop wing tips, called “Super Tips,” which were used in all phases of aviation to increase efficiency and performance.

In 1971, Leo moved his family to Redmond, where he was hired as the manager of Butler Aircraft, a large fixed base aviation company specializing in aerial firefighting for the U.S. Forest Service, private airplane maintenance and repairs, hangar rentals, and National car rentals. He wore many hats, including as airport manager.

Leo married his second wife Marcia Lang in 1980. They bought a home in Redmond with superb mountain views, and they enjoyed landscaping, lawn and flowers, and trying to outsmart the growing deer population. Deciding it was time to try his hand at another career, in 1981 Leo studied diligently and obtained his real estate license. He thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing new career and was well regarded by his peers. In 1988 they traveled for vacation to Greece, and later both retired in 2000 and took a memorable trip to Paris and London. Marcia passed away in 2002.

In addition to being very active in his church, Leo was also active in St. Vincent de Paul food bank, where he later met his newfound love, Mary Lou Verdegan, who was also a volunteer there. Their priest introduced them in 2006, and Leo and Mary Lou were later married in 2008. Leo and Mary Lou enjoyed their volunteer work and activities with St. Thomas Catholic Church and St. Vincent de Paul food bank for many years, as well as feeding and watching the budding wildlife at their home, including bunnies, all kinds of birds, and those pesky deer. Leo was an aspiring writer and enjoyed writing his biography to memorialize the journey of his life for his family.

Survivors include his wife Mary Lou of Crooked River Ranch and family; sons Mike of Bend and Mark of Culver; daughters Patty and husband Jim of Bend, and Debbie and husband Kris of Grants Pass; nephews Tim (Janice) of Sisters, and Tracy (Lyuba) of Oceanview, Hawaii; and ten grandchildren, Mari, Chris, Tara, Jake, Melissa, Jessica, Ian, Joshua, Stephanie and Alicia; and eight great grandchildren, Makyla, Briella, Conner, Oliver, Calvin, Claire, Trinity and Madilyn. Leo’s Uncle Louie from Quincy, Illinois recently turned 100. Leo was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother.