James Oliver Leet

President of Northeast Airlines until the merger with Northwest Airlines in 1970.

James Oliver Leet passed away on March 30. he was 94.

Born on July 29, 1922 in Ramsey County, North Dakota to Louis and Carrie Johnson Leet, Jim and his older sister, Margaret, grew up on the Leet family farm.

He met his future wife, Jean Stroup, at North Dakota State University. Following college his spirit of adventure drew him to the growing aviation industry and he joined Pan American World Airways.

During his early years with Pan Am, he lived in Brazil, New York, Newfoundland and Shannon, Ireland. Following their marriage in 1947, Jim and Jean were transferred to London, where they lived for eleven years.

In 1958 the family moved back to the U.S. and settled in Darien, Connecticut. Later moves brought them to Weston Massachusetts;, Rye, New York, Norwalk, Connecticut; and Wilton, Connecticut.

Jim spent most of his career with Pan Am but also spent several years with Aer Lingus and Northeast Airlines. Following his retirement from the Pan Am, Jim took his talents to the International Executive Service Organization (IESC) where he worked for over 10 years.

His was a life well-lived. He loved to travel, play golf and spend time with friends and family. He is remembered for his smile and the twinkle in his eye.

Jim was pre-deceased by his wife, Jean, in 2016, as well as his sister, Margaret and is survived by his children: Janis Leet (John Fitch) of New Fairfield, Connecticut; Jay Leet (Sally) of Tigard, Oregon; and Jonathan Leet (Tracy) of Scituate, Massachusetts; six beloved grandchildren and their spouses, and six great-grandchildren.

Jim held leadership positions in Rotary International and in the Kiwanis Club of Wilton

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James 0. Leet formerly of Webster, North Dakota was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Northeast Airlines. ~ October 1968, North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

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Northeast Chief to Pam Am

James O. Leet has been elected senior vice president marketing of Pan American World Airways. He is resigning as President of Northeast Air Lines and will assume his new post at Pan Am on Feb. 23, 1970. He succeeds Norman P. Blake, who will serve as senior vice presi dent on the staff of Najeeb E. Halaby, president and chief ex ecutive officer. Mr. Leet left Pan Am in 1959 when he was district sales manager, New York. ~ New York Times, January 21, 1970.

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North Dakotans found a familier name in a national news story this week on an airline personnel change.

It was announced in Miami that Northeast and Northwest airlines directors had approved merger and the Northeast President James O Leet has resigned.

Leet is a former Devils Lake, North Dakota resident, and his wife Betty Stroup of Hazen, North Dakota, whose family is in the banking business there and at Garrison and Washburn.

Local travel agents recall Leet from the days when he was based in London as the European manager for Pan American Airlines and his readiness to assist them in obtaining hotel rooms or other favors. When visiting in this area he usually drops in on the travel agency personnel for some shop talk.

His father was Louis Leet, a former state representative from Ramsey County. ~ Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck, North Dakota. 22 January 1970, Thursday.

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