LeRoy remembered as extraordinary pilot

JOAN AND JIM LEROY

Jim LeRoy, 46, an aerobatics pilot, was killed during the Dayton Air Show in Dayton, Ohio, Saturday, July 28. He was the son of Rosemary Harrison LeRoy, formerly of Swainsboro, and James LeRoy. His grandmother is Winnie Harrison of Swainsboro; and his grandfather is the late Dr. S.J. Harrison, who owned and operated Harrison's Pharmacy from 1936 to the late 1960s. His wife is Joan and they have one son, Tommy, 4.

LeRoy was a former U.S. Marine Corps scout/sniper and held a B.S. degree in aeronautical/ aerospace engineering as well as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license. He was one of only 11 pilots ever to be awarded both the Art Scholl Showmanship Award (2002) and the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2003). He was also one of only a handful of full time air show pilots in the world who actually made his living by performing for air show audiences.

He also held the following pilot ratings: single-engine, multi-engine, airplane instructor, helicopter, helicopter instructor, instrument instructor and aerobatic competency evaluator. According to his website, www.bulldogairshows.co m, "His entertaining flying style coupled with his dynamic personality and tireless energy has made Jim one of the most recognized performers in the history of the business. Jim is one of only a handful of full time "stunt pilots" in the world and actually makes his living by performing for air show audiences, world-wide."

He died in transit to Miami Vally Hospital in Dayton, Ohio after crashing around 2:15 p.m. EST at the Vectren Dayton Air Show at the Dayton International Airport during a performance with the XTeam Codename: Mary's Lamb aerobatics team. Excerpted from November- December 2001 issue of World Airshow News:

Jim LeRoy of Bulldog Airshows, Inc., has his act together! You'll not meet a nicer individual, and his performance is far from boring. It's action packed and full of energy, just like the man behind the controls.

His father, uncle and grandfather are all retired United Airlines captains. His dad retired off the Boeing 777 while his grandfather, Vernon LeRoy, and uncle John LeRoy retired off the Boeing 747. His great uncle Warren LeRoy also flew for United. It would have been natural for LeRoy to follow in their footsteps, but his love of performing and aerobatics was so strong that his heart led him in a different direction.

He named his company, Bulldog Airshows, after his pet bulldog.

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