TUCSON, Ariz. Leslie Paul Claassen, 87, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away at his residence on August 22, 2025. Les was born in Bancroft to Herman and Pauline Claassen. He and his older brother grew up in a farmhouse without electricity or plumbing. They worked the farm while attending school in town.
Les graduated in 1955 with eight classmates.
Les left home at 17 to join the United States Air Force. He met his wife of 57 years, Barbara, while stationed in Great Falls, Mont. Over the next 21 years, the Air Force sent him to Kansas, Okinawa, California, Arizona, South Dakota, and numerous tours to Thailand. Les retired from the USAF in 1976 as a Senior Master Sergeant.
After returning to Tucson, Les began his second career at Learjet, where he spent another 20 years before fully retiring. Les and Barb then spent several years traveling the United States in their motorhome, spending time with many dear friends and family members.
Les memory lives on through his daughter, Paulette, his grandsons, Griffin, Ryan, and Dylan, his sweetheart, Joyce, and his brother, Marvin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Pauline, brother Harold, wife, Barbara, son, Boyd, and son in law, George.
A visitation for Leslie will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, Ariz., 85712.
A funeral service will occur on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. at the mortuary. A graveside service will follow.
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