Leon Cohen Obituary

Leon Cohen CHARLESTON - Leon Cohen, 94, passed away peacefully in Charleston, South Carolina, on August 15, 2025. Born in Queens, New York, Leon was the youngest of three sons to Rose and Nathan Cohen. He was raised in Queens alongside his brothers, Murray and Seymour, and from an early age learned the value of hard work by spending long hours helping in his father's grocery store. After graduating from Queens College with a Bachelor's degree in mathematics, with an emphasis in statistics, Leon was drafted into the Korean War. While he was never deployed to combat, he provided both rifle and communications training to fellow servicemen, developing engineering skills that would shape his lifelong career. After his military service in Chicago, Leon moved to Los Angeles, where he resided for more than 60 years. He devoted over three decades to Hughes Aircraft as an aerospace engineer, later managing major programs. Among his most notable professional contributions was his work on the radar system for the F-14 Tomcat aircraft. Leon's sharp intellect and lifelong love of learning were hallmarks of his character. A gifted mathematician, he guided his children through years of mathematics studies, always encouraging curiosity and discipline. Long before the internet, he could be found poring over encyclopedias and almanacs, always seeking knowledge. An athlete in his younger years, Leon competed in handball during his twenties and thirties and remained an avid runner for many years. He also enjoyed the social and strategic challenge of bridge, which became one of his favorite pastimes. In the evenings, he and his wife, Sara Jane, could often be found watching Jeopardy together while sharing a glass of wine. Beyond his career and personal pursuits, Leon was deeply committed to helping others. He generously shared his financial expertise, mentoring friends and family in improving their financial health. He volunteered with the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), which assisted eligible people of all income levels in navigating their Medicare options, and also served as a Small Business Counselor through the Small Business Administration. Leon was married to his beloved wife, Sara Jane, for 33 years. He is survived by his children: Kasi (partner, O), Brian (spouse, Michelle), and Julie (spouse, Dwain); his stepdaughters, Tasha (spouse, Amanda) and Erika (spouse, David); and his grandchildren: Rachel, Dowell, Maisie, Noah, Mariah, Anyah, Zachary, and Hugh. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Rose, and his brothers, Murray and Seymour. Funeral services will be held at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery in Charleston at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 18. Leon will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a man of intellect and integrity, and a lifelong learner whose legacy endures in the lives he touched. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.