Obituary of Leo F. Suiter

U. S. Army (Retired) Major Leo F. Suiter, 92, of Daleville, passed peacefully at 9:53 P.M. on Monday, December 25, 2017, at his home. A memorial service for Mr. Suiter will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 29, 2017, in Daleville Baptist Church with Reverend Jim Peters officiating. Interment will follow with Full Military Honors in Westview Memorial Cemetery in Ozark, Holman Funeral Home and Cremation of Ozark directing. Born and raised in Missouri, he joined the Army shortly after high school graduation in June 1944, and turned nineteen on a troop ship headed for Europe. Captured during “The Battle of the Bulge” on December 16, 1944, he remained a POW held by the Nazis and Soviet forces until July 14, 1945. Remaining in service, Mr. Suiters next stop was the Korean War where he served with distinction in the 26th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon with his partner, German Shepard, CPL “King”. Upon returning to the United States, Mr. Suiter was posted to various posts around the country and can be seen in some of the archival footage used in the movie “Forrest Gump”. Attaining the rank of Major, Mr. Suiter was posted to Fort Rucker in early 1961 to help organize the new helicopter training program as a Huey instructor. He retired on a Friday in 1964 after serving twenty years active duty and on Monday he started his new job as a Huey flight instructor with the Civil Service continuing that job until late 1975. During the 70’s and 80’s he was a small success in the country music industry, recording several singles and albums. He played many venues from the Grand Ole Opry to Gilly’s in Texas. Mr. Suiter was one of the founding fathers of the city of Daleville and was an active member of the community for many years, his political asperations led him to several bids for local offices as well as Vice-Presidential running mate in 1980 and a run for Governor in 1982. In 1984 Mr. Suiter started Computer Tax Service in Daleville and was a fixture there up to four days before his death. Mr. Suiter was preceded in death by his son, Noah Michael Suiter; his first wife of twenty-three years, Polly; and his second wife of forty years, Alice. He is survived by his sons, Eddie (Debbie) Suiter and Robert Suiter; his step sons, Alan (Alissa) Phillips and Samuel (Ann) Phillips; his grandsons, Steven (Kimberly) Suiter and Noah (Breawna) Suiter; his step granddaughter, Sarah Phillips; his step grandson, Kristopher Phillips; his great granddaughters, Samantha and Emma; and his great-great granddaughter, Ava. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Hospice Care Facility or to the Alzheimer’s Association, P. O. Box 1170, Dothan, Alabama 36302. Service Information