CHERRYVALE — Leo Lauren "De" DeMoss, 79, of Cherryvale died at 2 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Independence.

He was born July 31, 1932, at Parsons a son of Will and Vessa May DeMoss. He was raised in Parsons and attended school here. Upon completing high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953 and served with the Strategic Air Command. After retiring in 1972 he moved to Independence and operated De’s Upholstery. He moved to Joplin in the early 2000s and after the tornado destroyed his house in 2011 he relocated to Cherryvale.

On April 12, 1952, he married Helen Marie Blackburn at Huntsville, Ark. She preceded him in death on Nov. 7, 1991.

He enjoyed woodworking and dancing.

Survivors include two sons, Tracy DeMoss and his wife, Liz, of Erie and Terry DeMoss and his wife, Amy, of Cherryvale; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, Bill DeMoss of Baldwin City; and two sisters, June Nance of Parsons and Hope Lyberger of Kingsville, Ohio.

A son, Leo Lauren DeMoss Jr., and one sister preceded him in death.

Following cremation, a graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Friends may call to register at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home at their convenience.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.