Leslie Kay passed away September 21st in Alexandria, Louisiana. A celebration/service of life is tentatively scheduled for October 8th. RIP dear classmate.
I have only been at Sacramento High for the last two years of my high school years and cannot remember some classmates but I am here to extend my sincere condolence to the family. May Leslie Kay be now in the hands of the almighty creator and be in resting in peace.
I remember Leslie. He was a very talented musician. I believe he played the trombone? He was very involved in music at Sac High, including in the Dance Band. A great loss. Rest in Peace, Leslie.
I met Leslie in third or fourth grade.He always had a smile a joke and was always there willing to give good advice. I was just going through old pictures and found one of him at one of my birthday party's about the third grade. I sweet guy for sure
Leslie Kay and I first met at Sac High when he told me that my father had delivered him. From that time on we had a connection, and in class I found him always friendly, upbeat, and supportive. A few months ago, I saw on our Sac High website that Leslie passed away in 2016. Looking up his obituary in Pineville, Louisiana, it mentioned he had written a book. I found it on Amazon, ordered it and now recommend all our classmates read about one of our own in this deeply felt Kilo Co, A Vietnam Memoir. Here Leslie summarizes his war experience when he writes: “I went to Nam a Christian. I came back lost.” Each page of this slim volume holds a single, intense memory. He writes about the everyday doings of a soldier with little control over life in a hopeless foreign environment. The book is illustrated with his instamatic photos of K Company. At the end, an explosion badly injured Leslie but provided a way back home. He recovered physically but never forgot his time in Vietnam. Leslie suffered from PTSD throughout his life; however, his warm appreciation of family and friends is evident. This poetic memoir allowed me to see how life changed Les, as it has us all. I am sorry I did not know him better after we left Sac High since I can see he always strove to be a real caring human being.
Well said, Jane! I was blessed to be at Les’s side in the trombone section through our high school band years. I, too, got his book. We are fortunate that he was able to share his story. Would have been a good addition to Ken Burns’ candid documentary on Vietnam. It is small comfort, but I unknowingly spent most of my adult years in the next door neighbor state of Mississippi. Les, my friend, you were not alone.
I grew up on the same street with leslie Kay. He had wonderful parents and was a really fabulous piano player. I was taking piano lessons at the same time, but i always loved it when Leslie would play the piano for me. Usually his mom would have to talk him into it because he was shy. So sorry he is gone and to hear aboutt his experience in the war. I will be looking up his book. Donna Dunham Nelson
Leslie was one of the best persons you could ever meet. I was not aware of his book and though I placed an order, it is not available at this time. Like Ed, I also played trombone and had great times in the marching band. He was a bit more talented than I was. He is at rest now and pray for him and his family. A very special guy Leslie was. God bless my friend and thank you for your service..
So sad to hear of Leslies passing. I always remember him as a super nice and funny guy. I just purchased his book from this site http://antrimhousebooks.com/kay.html
Victoria Calica (Woode)
I have only been at Sacramento High for the last two years of my high school years and cannot remember some classmates but I am here to extend my sincere condolence to the family. May Leslie Kay be now in the hands of the almighty creator and be in resting in peace.
Victoria Calica Woode
Gary E. Myer
I remember Leslie. He was a very talented musician. I believe he played the trombone? He was very involved in music at Sac High, including in the Dance Band. A great loss. Rest in Peace, Leslie.
James Lange
I met Leslie in third or fourth grade.He always had a smile a joke and was always there willing to give good advice. I was just going through old pictures and found one of him at one of my birthday party's about the third grade. I sweet guy for sureJane McKinnon
Leslie Kay and I first met at Sac High when he told me that my father had delivered him. From that time on we had a connection, and in class I found him always friendly, upbeat, and supportive. A few months ago, I saw on our Sac High website that Leslie passed away in 2016. Looking up his obituary in Pineville, Louisiana, it mentioned he had written a book. I found it on Amazon, ordered it and now recommend all our classmates read about one of our own in this deeply felt Kilo Co, A Vietnam Memoir. Here Leslie summarizes his war experience when he writes: “I went to Nam a Christian. I came back lost.” Each page of this slim volume holds a single, intense memory. He writes about the everyday doings of a soldier with little control over life in a hopeless foreign environment. The book is illustrated with his instamatic photos of K Company. At the end, an explosion badly injured Leslie but provided a way back home. He recovered physically but never forgot his time in Vietnam. Leslie suffered from PTSD throughout his life; however, his warm appreciation of family and friends is evident. This poetic memoir allowed me to see how life changed Les, as it has us all. I am sorry I did not know him better after we left Sac High since I can see he always strove to be a real caring human being.
Ed Thompson
Well said, Jane! I was blessed to be at Les’s side in the trombone section through our high school band years. I, too, got his book. We are fortunate that he was able to share his story. Would have been a good addition to Ken Burns’ candid documentary on Vietnam. It is small comfort, but I unknowingly spent most of my adult years in the next door neighbor state of Mississippi. Les, my friend, you were not alone.
Donna Dunham (Nelson)
I grew up on the same street with leslie Kay. He had wonderful parents and was a really fabulous piano player. I was taking piano lessons at the same time, but i always loved it when Leslie would play the piano for me. Usually his mom would have to talk him into it because he was shy. So sorry he is gone and to hear aboutt his experience in the war. I will be looking up his book. Donna Dunham Nelson
Fernando Vellanoweth.
Leslie was one of the best persons you could ever meet. I was not aware of his book and though I placed an order, it is not available at this time. Like Ed, I also played trombone and had great times in the marching band. He was a bit more talented than I was. He is at rest now and pray for him and his family. A very special guy Leslie was. God bless my friend and thank you for your service..
Lane King
So sad to hear of Leslies passing. I always remember him as a super nice and funny guy. I just purchased his book from this site http://antrimhousebooks.com/kay.html