Leon Rausch Obituary

Leon Luther Rausch, age 85, passed away on Feb. 18, 2026, in Dallas, surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

A proud son of Ohio, he was born in Wapakoneta to Rev. Leonhard and Bertha Rausch and was raised in a home grounded in faith, service and devotion to family, church and country.

Leon married Nita, the love of his life, after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in the Class of 1965. Their life together took them through Alabama, California, Florida, West Germany and South Carolina before they eventually made their home in Dallas.

Throughout these moves, Leon was active as a singer in the choir and lay leadership for 60 years in Lutheran congregations both in the United States and abroad. An enthusiastic mechanic, Leon built and repaired everything from clocks to electronics and automobiles and instilled in his children an appreciation for knowing how to repair and when to replace.

His culminating project, after adding living space to their home in South Carolina, was building and completing his own two-seat airplane - a Rutan Varieze. He was able to fly several times to the Experimental Aircraft Association gathering in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in it. His logbook shows landings all over the United States from cross-country flights to the Dakotas, Ohio and back to South Carolina.

He devoted over 20 years of service to our country in the United States Air Force as a F-4 pilot and numerous administrative positions. His service as a protocol officer allowed him to take his family to the 1973 Paris Air Show, where he showed them the latest aircraft designs and introduced them to some of the Apollo and Gemini program astronauts.

Among the greatest gifts he imparted to his children were his steadfast faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a deep appreciation for theology, joy at hearing Handel's Messiah, and a lifelong love of reading.

Leon is survived by his children Brian, Scott and Celeste; his daughters-in-law Rosie and Erin; his grandchildren Eric and Katherine; and his siblings Mary, Lois, Lillian and Carl.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nita; his parents, Leonhard and Bertha Rausch; his brother Paul; and sisters Melba and Phyllis.

In lieu of flowers, Leon requested that donations be made to: Faith Lutheran Church and School - 1701 E. Park Boulevard, Plano, Texas, 75074, (972) 423-7448; Lutheran Heritage Foundation - 51474 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb, Michigan, 48042; Luther College - 2300 Hickory St., Casper, Wyoming, 82604.

A Service of Thanksgiving and Praise for the Grace of God will be held on Feb. 25, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1701 E. Park Boulevard, Plano, Texas, 75074. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m. A private family graveside service will take place at DFW National Cemetery.

Leon sang with full-throated conviction the verse from Corinthians and Handel's Air from Messiah: "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed."