Edward Raymond Lekawa

LEKAWA, Edward Raymond died on August 11, 2019 in Orange, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Claire McDermott Lekawa who passed in 1996 after 41 years of loving marriage.

He is survived by his children, Patrick Lekawa and wife, Patty Lekawa, Daniel Lekawa and wife, Cathy Lekawa, Kathleen Thomson and husband, Don Thomson, and Michael Lekawa and wife, Sajee Lekawa, as well as ten grandchildren, Christopher Lekawa and wife, Cobi Lekawa, Matthew Lekawa and wife, Tracy Lekawa, Rachel Lekawa, Thaddeus Lekawa, Jennifer Lekawa, Sean Thomson, Eryn Galaviz and husband, Anthony Galaviz, Cailin Thomson, Serena Lekawa, and Talia Lekawa, and two great grandchildren, Devon and Dominic Lekawa, his brother, Ted Lekawa, and numerous well-loved nieces and nephews. 

In death he will be joining his wife, Elizabeth Claire Lekawa, and parents Ted and Jennie Lekawa.  Edward was born in Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania on September 7, 1932. He graduated first in his engineering class at the University of Pittsburgh, followed by his post-baccalaureate work at Cornell University, eventually obtaining a Masters from the University of Southern California. After marrying his high school sweetheart in 1955, he moved to Southern California, joining North American Aviation (later Rockwell) as an aeronautical engineer.  His career spanned from working on our early missile programs, to the Apollo Space Program, the Space Shuttle, Missile Defense, and Advanced Launch Systems, eventually retiring as Chief Engineer for Advanced Programs.  He lived a full and joyous life, serving as a faithful pillar in his Catholic faith, a leader in the Boy Scouts, an ever present coach and fan for his children’s sport events, and an avid traveling partner to his adventurous wife. Edward was a truly beloved husband and father, a greatly adored grandfather and a faithful friend. His wisdom and humor will be deeply missed by both friends and family.

The Vigil will be from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at the Shannon Family Mortuary in Orange on Monday, August 19th. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 20th at St. Norbert Catholic Church in Orange with a burial immediately following at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward Raymond Lekawa, please visit our floral store.