Leland S. Gaug

FUNERAL HOME

Billow's Funeral Homes & Crematory - Fairlawn Chapel

85 North Miller Road

Akron, Ohio

Leland Gaug Obituary

At age 87, on July 27,2011, our family lost a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and many more, lost a good friend.

Leland S. Gaug was born in Copley to parents, Andrew W. and Elizabeth. After graduating from Boston Township High School, Lee joined the Navy at age 18 in 1942. He flew Corsairs in the ``Ace of Spades' Squadron in Akron and later flew with the ``Flying Nightmares' during the Korean War. Lee's military career spanned 22 years. He retired in 1964 as a major in the Marine Corps.

Lee then began a 25 year career with Goodyear Racing Division as a field manager for various racing circuits including the world-wide Formula One series.

Back at home, he was a strong believer in serving the community. Lee was an active member of Copley-Fairlawn Kiwanis for over 40 years, plus a member of Copley VFW Post 7971 and American Legion Post 473.

Lee Gaug dearly treasured his many friendships. Close to his heart were the luncheons and activities spent with his childhood buddies and Goodyear, Kiwanis and golfing friends.

Lee was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Dorothy (Hatch) Gaug, grandson, Herbert and great-grandson, Kody, along with brothers, Russell, Robert, Daniel, Steven and sisters, Ruth, Anne and Emillia and second wife, Ann Gottwald.

He was the beloved father of Cynthia Gaug, Kevan and Angela Gaug of The Woodlands, Texas, Janet Miller and Pamela and Mark Emerson. He will be greatly missed by grandchildren: Kristopher, Nicholas, Gregory Gaug; Dennis Miller, Nicole and Brian Covil; Samantha, Seth, Clayton Emerson; and his great-grand-children Ty, Austin Miller; Brenna, Savannah, Riley, Aurora, Jacob Covil; baby sister, Esther Greenlese; cousin, Arnie and Marsha Krause.

Services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., with Rev. Kevin O'Brien officiating. Interment at Copley Cemetery with Military Honors by Copley VFW Post 7971. Friends may call at the funeral home 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Akron Beacon Journal on Jul. 31, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Leland Gaug

10 Entries

Reg Mantel

July 25, 2021

After 10 years Lee is still mentioned and remembered when I meet with old friends from Goodyear, never to be forgotten

Bill King

August 4, 2011

Lee was a colleague at the Goodyear Racing Division and one of the regular lunch bunch. I treasure those times and the couple of F1 races we did together... an unforgetable character.

jt smith

August 3, 2011

Lee and I travelled together in the 60's many Trans Am, F.A, & Can Am's. In those days we got a small table in the back for the airplane & played cards while flying to Riverside.
Lee was a great friend. I was happy to see his brick at the A/C airport. It sits nexy to my sons, and I "was going" to call him about it.

My sympathy to his family.
J.T.Smith

August 2, 2011

I first met Lee when I first started working in Formula One. He was gruff, he was strict, and he was a leader and he was a pleasure to work with. I'll never forget the first F1 Race in Phoenix, I had no idea how it worked, only to get the tires there. It was cool and raining so I went out and bought a jacket - a Ferrari jacket, not realizing they were with another tire manufacturer. When I walked in the trailer, Lee almost had a cow.

I learned so much from him and would meet him after his retirement late at night in Akron for a Grand Marnier.

You fought the good fight Lee. We will miss you.

My condolences to the family.

Steve Gelobter

Tony Shakespeare

August 2, 2011

Lee was one of those special personalities in Formula One racing and it was a privilege and a pleasure to work closely with him during his years in Formula One.
He was a well respected by members of the F1 fraternity for his integrity.
Goodyear F1 racing team members based in Europe have many poignant memories of our years together working with Lee at the Grand Prix circuits around the world.
On behalf of all of the former members of the Goodyear racing team, we convey our deepest sympathies to his family.

Pete Biro

July 31, 2011

R.I.P., Lee... you were one of the good guys. Your work in racing is where we met, and there was no one more dedicated to doing it right.

The Staff of Billow Funeral Homes

August 1, 2011

Offering our deepest condolences during this time.

Reg Mantel

July 31, 2011

Great sadness, but, many great memories of time spent together working at F1 Grand Prix around the world

Bobby Rice

July 31, 2011

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Nicole Covil

July 31, 2011

Grandpa: We will miss you forever! Jacob loves you. I know you will be in heaven with Grandma, tell her we miss her more than ever! Love Brian, Niki and Jacob

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