PYKA, Leonard Sylvester (Len)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, July 25, 2009 Leonard "Len" S. Pyka, 78, passed away July 17, 2009, in Prescott, Ariz. He was born Aug. 24, 1930, in Long Beach, Calif., to Sylvester and Lydia (Stegal) Pyka. Leonard was preceded in death by his sons, Leonard (Len) Pyka Jr. and Frank Pyka. He was survived by his wife of 55 years, DeAun Pyka; brother Father Frank Pyka of Rancho Dominquez, Calif.; and two grandsons, Kevin of Montana and Frank of California. Leonard graduated Poly High in Long Beach in 1949. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. Leonard retired with General Telephone after 34 years. He and DeAun moved to Prescott, Ariz., in 1990. He was into radio control model airplanes. He was an instrumental part of the Casa De Aero Modelers program at Embry-Riddle where he served as a past president. He was a member and past-president of the Chino Valley Model Aviators. He also was a member in various dirt motorcycle clubs. A celebration of Leonard's life will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Family Funeral Homes at the corner of Carleton and Cortez streets. American Legion Post #6 will perform full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to YRMC Hospice, 3262 N. Windsong Dr., Prescott Valley, Ariz., 86314. Please visit Leonard's guestbook at www.ruffnerwakelin.com. Information provided by survivors.