<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<p>Lieutenant Colonel <em>Leo Desire Charron Jr.</em> (U.S. Army, Retired) passed away September 20, 2023 at UPMC Carlisle Hospital at the age of 81 while surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Norwich, CT to the late Leo and Blanche Marie Fournier Charron.Leo was a career veteran of the United States Army, and he was known by those closest to him as one who lived his life as a devoted, honorable patriot while at the same time prioritizing ethics and integrity. He truly believed in leading by example with Duty, Honor, Country taking priority.</p>
<p>A graduate of Norwich Free Academy in Connecticut, he later went on to attend and graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1964. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School, later earning a Bronze Star for his exemplary service in the Vietnam conflict.</p>
<p>Upon returning from Vietnam, he was stationed briefly at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD, before moving to Bloomington, IN to attain his master’s degree from Indiana University. After completion of his master’s degree, he then graduated from Officer Training School at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He then went on to work at the Pentagon before moving to Darmstadt, Germany to work with the 10th Air Defense Artillery. In 1976, he moved back to Maryland to resume duties at the Pentagon. His next assignment would take him to the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, where he worked as a lieutenant colonel in their Department of Strategic Wargaming until retirement in 1987. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he continued to serve as a consultant for the U.S. government for many years afterward.</p>
<p>Leo was an avid reader and was very interested in world history, biographies as well as some fiction. Because of his passion for knowledge, he was broad minded, nonjudgemental and served as an excellent sounding board to his family and friends. He drew great joy from time spent sitting in discussions with anyone who wanted to talk. He was a scholar on many subjects and loved sharing open dialogues to broaden the minds of those around him. Leo truly held a gift of listening. He welcomed the opportunity to extend a listening ear, guidance and support to his loved ones. He was passionate and held strong opinions about certain topics, which he was always willing to share; however, he never held judgement for those of differing opinions. He accepted everyone around him for who they were and offered his support and love without condition. </p>
<p>His hobbies included collecting stamps, completing crossword puzzles, working outdoors and watching UConn Huskies women’s basketball. </p>
<p>In 1985, he purchased a home on a seven-acre wooded parcel in Carlisle. This home came to be his sanctuary. He spent countless hours constructing a limestone wall by hand that encircled the premises. Growing up as a young boy in Connecticut, he felt that a property was not complete without a stone wall. That structure stands today as a tribute to his passion for working with his hands and a monument for his family to remember him by. This sanctuary gave Leo the gift of an endless supply of wood from fallen trees, which he meticulously split and stacked year after year to use as a heat source in the wood stoves inside (also a tribute to his upbringing in New England). Leo also beautifully finished the basement of this home himself within the first few years of ownership.</p>
<p>Leo had an open-door policy. Anyone was welcomed at any time. His most cherished time each year was Christmas day. It was the one day each year when he was surrounded by all his children, grandchildren and close family friends. The home would be filled with love and laughter. The joy this annual gathering brought Leo was visible in his smile for days to come. There is nothing he cherished more than his family. He was kind, generous and supportive. He is missed. </p>
<p>Leo is survived by two daughters, Catherine Charron of Carlisle and Michelle (John) Mele of Baltimore, MD; a son, Leo (Mary) Charron III of Myersville, MD; and a brother, Peter (Carron) Charron of Voluntown, CT; as well as by six grandchildren and one great-grandson. A sister, Joyce Muhonen, predeceased him.</p>
<p><em>— Catherine Charron, Daughter</em></p>
</body>
</html>