Commander Leonard Merriman III

Commander Leonard Merriman III was born on September 27, 1953 in New Orleans, LA and was the only child of Mr. Leonard Merriman Jr. and Mrs. Alberta Slocum Merriman. When the family moved to a new home in Pontchartrain Park, the Merriman family joined Bethany United Methodist Church which remained his home church throughout his life. Leonard attended Mary D. Coghill Elementary School. He went on to attend the prestigious St. Augustine High School (“St. Aug”), where he excelled and became a member of the football and track & field teams. Leonard quickly gained a reputation at school for his various competitive endeavors as a tough, never give up, and fearless guy. This was never more on display than when Leonard would speed off to school at St. Aug on his motorcycle at 16 years old. Leonard would go on to graduate from St. Aug. with the class of 1971 and later that same year, he joined the U.S. Navy. The Navy gave Leonard the adventure he craved and the structure that he needed. For Leonard, the Navy allowed him the opportunity to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland as a “Midshipman.” While at the Academy, Leonard also played football and became a world class boxer in his weight class. He then attended the University of North Carolina Central where he earned his undergraduate degree. Leonard always had a dream of flying. Going fast and flying high was always his undisputed first love. While still in high school Leonard learned to fly by becoming friends with a Black Pilot who worked at Lakefront Airport near Pontchartrain Park. Armed with this knowledge, when Leonard joined the Navy, he was presented with a golden opportunity. He was presented with the choice of being assigned to attend law school or Navy Flight School at NAS Pensacola. With that choice in hand, Leonard decided to attend flight school and became a Naval Aviator. He was then assigned for duty aboard the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier. While in the Navy Leonard piloted the A-7 Corsair and the F-18 Hornet aircrafts. During his service, he would achieve the rank of Commander and serve as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Mobile Maintenance Facility 0582. In his civilian career Leonard decided to continue to fly for commercial airlines as a pilot for TWA, MESA, U.S. Airways, and American, just to name a few. Leonard was involved in many activities and organizations. Some of these include, being a member of Progress Lodge No.16, Prince Hall Affiliate, the National Black Pilot Association, Son of a Saint, The St. Augustine High School Alumni Association, The Silverback Society, the National Rifle Association (NRA), and Director of the Future Airline Pilots of New Orleans. On October 19, 2023, Leonard went to be with his Heavenly Father. He was predeceased in death by his parents Mr. And Mrs. Leonard Merriman Jr. He leaves behind three children: his eldest son, Leonard “Lenny” Merriman IV, and his wife Jeanine Young Merriman; daughter Lucretia Merriman, and his youngest son Leonard “Leo” Merriman IV. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Charlotte Merriman and Myles Leonard Merriman, who were the absolute apples of his eye, and a host of other relatives and friends too countless to mention. His legacy will live on through the bonds of friendship he made over the years, and all those whose lives he touched. He will be remembered as a man who would defend you to the last, was never too busy to help others, would strike up a conversation with almost anyone, and a Naval circumnavigator twice over. Celebration of life will be held on November 3, 2023, at Bethany United Methodist Church 4533 Mendez St. New Orleans, LA 70126. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a service at 11:00 a.m. Private Interment at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook, share memories, and condolences to the family.