Benjamin Franklin McLeod II

McLeod, Benjamin Franklin II
Oct. 25, 1917 - Jan. 20, 2009

Benjamin Franklin McLeod II, 91, Sarasota, died Jan. 20, 2009.
A celebration of life will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 6903 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, phone (941) 955-4171.
Born in Clio, S.C., on Oct. 25, 1917, he was the son of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin McLeod and Mary Ruth "Mamie" Allen McLeod. He graduated with a bachelor degree in electrical engineering from Clemson College in 1939 and began a colorful and distinguished career with Pan American World Airways. He made numerous contributions to the emerging world of air travel and achieved the position of vice president of communications in 1968. He retired in 1980 and continued to make contributions to aviation as chairman of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics.
Mr. McLeod was an original resident at Country Club of Sarasota and served as chairman of the association for several years. He also served as chairman of the board of the Sarasota Surf and Racquet Club Association. He was an avid golfer and has many trophies gathered throughout the years.
Benjamin is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Carol; a sister, Mary Ruth Dolive; and a brother, Charles E. McLeod.
He is survived by his fiancee Rita Pardo Tippett of Miami; sons and their wives Benjamin F. and Debbie McLeod III of Seattle, Wash., Dr. Thomas A. and Terri McLeod of Spartanburg, S.C., and Scot E. and Laurel McLeod of Atlanta, Ga. He was a proud and greatly loved grandfather of eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the wonderfully supportive TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care, Humanitarian Fund, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.