Leon Gilbert Libert
July 14, 1935 - May 28, 2014

Leon Gilbert Libert, a retired pilot of Coalinga, passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California. He was 78.
Leon was born in Belgium July 14, 1935 to Joseph and gilbert Libert. He was a pilot and fought in the Belgium Congo War. He was also a Mercenary. Leon was an extremely intelligent man. Throuhout his life he flew 44 different aircraft. He spoke five languages fluently; French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. He understood the German language but could not speak it very well. He authored several books and contributed some of his photographs to the US Library of Congress.
Leon came to live in the United States in 1968 and became a US Citizen in 2001. After coming to America Leon's first job as a pilot was in Lodi where he flew fixed wing planes and shortly after Leon trained and began flying helicopters. Leon piloted various aircraft until in 2003 when due to medical reasons had to retire from a career that he loved. Leon, not one to just sit around and do nothing, began driving school bus for the Coalinga-Huron School District. He could not have chosen a better second career. The children that he transported loved hilm like family and he loved them back. He drove school bus for eight years. After completely retiring, he and "Moose" his dog, spent many evenings sitting on the patio being company to each other.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Linda of Coalinga, Jean Pierra (JP) Libert (son) of Dos Palos, CA, Nicole Aimme Libert (daughter) of Scotts Bluff, NE, Carine Descamps (daughter) of Belgium, Mylene Roka (daughter) of Belgium, Thierry Libert (son) of Belgium, Nathalle Guilliams (daughter) of Coarsegold, CA, 18 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Luncheon will be at the Y Service Club after the Memorial Service.

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