Leslie C. Acton's Obituary
Leslie “Les” Claude Acton, a World War Two veteran, successful mining executive, and loving father and husband, passed away peacefully on July 31st, 2025, at the age of 100.
Born on February 14th, 1925, in Winkleman, Arizona to Hortense and Ray Acton, Les grew up as the oldest of ten siblings. The family lived on a cattle ranch near Mammoth, Arizona before the Great Depression forced its sale. Les regularly shared stories of how much he enjoyed being on the ranch, going to school on horseback or driving cattle to Tucson with his father. World War Two happened shortly after, and Les graduated high school early so he could join the Army and serve his country. Jimmy Stewart, the celebrated actor and Army bomber pilot, inspired him to pursue a slot as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. He graduated flight school at eighteen years old as an F-5 pilot — a photo reconnaissance variant of the powerful P-38 Lightning — and deployed shortly after to China as part of the 14th Air Force to aid in the fight against the Japanese. Call sign “Cactus Jack” as a nod to his Southwest upbringing, Les flew more than twenty missions in a little over a year – usually without backup and deep into enemy territory – to capture vital intelligence on enemy positions and troop movements.
When the US declared victory over Japan and World War Two reached its official end, Les returned home where shortly after he met Charlotte Maier. The two struck up a romance and were married at twenty-one years of age. After the Army, Les graduated from the University of Arizona and then began working in the mining industry. The couple had three boys in quick succession: Robert, Timothy, and John. Les rose through the ranks and eventually took an overseas assignment in Indonesia. With the three boys grown and building their own lives, Les and Charlotte lived in Indonesia for ten years before returning to Tucson, where they lived the rest of their lives. He and Charlotte enjoyed their time overseas immensely, forging lifelong friendships and playing lots of bridge. They also used this time to travel around the world, including Russia, Japan, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.
The couple spent sixty-eight years together, seeing their sons regularly and watching their families grow. Les was a loving husband and held Charlotte’s hand wherever they went. He was also proud to have 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. His family meant so much to him and he regularly enjoyed visits from relatives, children, and grandchildren alike. He was always telling others how proud he was of his family and their accomplishments. Les’ legacy will no doubt live on through his family and the wonderful memories he made with them.
He is survived by his sons Tim and John, and their families, and those of his late son Bob.
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