Born: 04/24/1921
Inducted: 10/13/2001
In the 1960s, the concept of improving commercial
air service throughout Wisconsin by means of regional airports was
new and controversial. One of its strongest proponents was Marathon
County Board Chair LeRoy Jonas.
A World War II Marine Corps veteran and Wausau
businessman, Jonas was convinced that the growing central Wisconsin
communities centered on Wausau, Marshfield and Stevens Point would
be most efficiently served by a single, centrally located airport.
In 1970, thanks to Jonas' stubborn and skillful
leadership, the Central Wisconsin Airport opened for business. In
the years since it has provided uninterrupted commercial service to
its region.
LeRoy
Jonas was the chair of the first committee organized to create the
Central Wisconsin Airport and serves on its board of directors to
this day. He continues a half-century of public service to his
community and to aviation.
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