The family of James Esco Lenon Jr. has invited the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) to attend the Military Honors of their loved one as he makes his final journey. It will be our honor to do so.
James was born in Blackfoot, Idaho on 26 March 1926 and entered into Eternal Rest on 20 September 2017 at the Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside.
James proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for twenty-three years from 1945 to 1967. Achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, James served in both WWII and Korea. Many of James’ awards/citations included a Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, five Overseas Bars and many others.
James worked in real estate for forty-five years, during this time he was the owner/broker of J. Lenon Realty in Diamond Bar.
James was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and hiking. At the age of seventy-five, he along with his son Jim and son-in-law Larry, hiked Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states.
James was a member of numerous organizations that included the Elks Lodge #643 in Riverside, Santa Ana/El Toro Chapter #250 of the National Sojourners, El Bekal Shriners, Master Mason of Anaheim Lodge #207 and Grand Lodge of Georgia-Ft. Benning Lodge #579. He was also a lifetime member of the NRA and a tribal member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Blackfoot, Idaho.
James is preceded in death by his wife, Helen, and is survived by daughters Lacy, Debbie, and son Jim. He also leaves behind four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time Table for Wednesday 04 October 2017 1200 – Stage at Akes Family Funeral Home, 9695 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/hDSNUYQHW6n1230 – Mission Briefing
1245 – Flag line as our Hero is moved to the coach.
1300 – KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, (Staging Area #5 for family, north of Staging Area #8 for PGR) 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
http://goo.gl/maps/v0K0E 1400 – KSU to assigned gravesite for Flag line, Service and Military Honors
Larry Medcraft
SoCalPGR Ride Captain
LMedcraf@yahoo.com
808-722-5784 cell
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
