Arnold Arthur Azamar Sr

In Loving Memory of Arnold Arthur Azamar, Sr.
October 13, 1932 – March 19, 2023
Arnold Arthur "Art" Azamar, Sr., passed away on March 19, 2023 in Palm Beach County, Florida. He will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on December 4, 2025.
Born in Chicago, Illinois on October 13, 1932 to Harry Cesar and Jeanne Roczniak Azamar, Art was the eldest of two children and adored his younger sister, Diane Azamar Madson. He often said he felt fortunate to grow up as the eldest cousin and only boy in a very closeknit, warm and lively extended family.
Art is outlived by his cherished wife of 65 years, Leslie Outten Azamar; his daughters Lynne Azamar Watson (Dave) of Annapolis, Maryland, and Elizabeth Jeanne Azamar "Liz" Marx of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; and seven grandchildren: Jeff (Sarah) and Andrea Watson, Nicole (Aidan) Marx Lawlor, Brandon and Cory Marx, and Noah and Isabel Azamar. His son, Arnold Arthur Azamar, Jr., has also since passed away.
Art enlisted in the Air Force in January 1954, four years after graduating from Carl Schurz High School in Chicago. Early in his service, while stationed in Dover, Delaware, a blind date arranged by dear friends, introduced him to Leslie. Art was instantly smitten, and the they married on April 13, 1957, in a joyful ceremony surrounded by family and friends.
During his twenty-two years in the Air Force, Art served as a navigator and completed a three-year tour of duty in Japan with his young family, assigned to the 421st Air Refueling Squadron. He later served in the Vietnam War stationed in Thailand and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Service, among other commendations. Throughout his military career, Art navigated various planes including the C-133, C-123, and C-5A, the largest aircraft in the USAF. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in October 1974. While building his military career, he also pursued his education, initially at University of Maryland, and later at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1969.
Following his military retirement, Art continued to live life to the fullest, turning his passion for landscape architecture and home building into successful second and third careers. Above all, he was happiest when he was surrounded by his family. Forever young at heart, he loved taking Leslie and their children on road trips and camping adventures, exploring the United States and Canada. Summers were spent at Dewey Beach, Delaware, where Art and Leslie enjoyed taking their children and friends, and later grandchildren, out water skiing, fishing, crabbing, and enjoying long days at the beach.
In retirement, Leslie and Art spent winters in Florida, ultimately settling fulltime in the Palm Beach area where they enjoyed sunshine, boating, and golf all year round. A natural story teller with a warm and easy charm, Art made friends wherever he went and quickly created a vibrant community around them.
Art was a man of many interests and hobbies. A self-taught painter, he created oil and charcoal works of landscapes, seascapes, and European street scenes that remain cherished pieces in family homes. He had a deep appreciation for classical music and collected many records of his favorite composers. Ever an early riser, he often filled Saturday mornings with Beethoven, Mozart, or Bach while preparing his famous ham and cheese omelets for the family.
Art leaves behind countless friends and extended family members whose lives he touched profoundly during his 90 years. He is deeply missed by all of us and his generous spirit, smile, and stories will live on in our hearts.
Art will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in his name is may consider a gift to the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base through their website at www.amcmuseum.org, AMC Museum Foundation, PO Box 2024, Dover AFB, DE 19902-9998.