Dr. Leonard Livingston Thalmueller was born on October 22, 1927 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Edward Leonard and Ordra Lee Livingston Thalmueller. He was pre-deceased by his parents, and four brothers, Sammy, Kenneth, Edwin, and Donald, and his sister Edwinna and brother-in-law Lauren Ramsey.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II at the age of 17 (amidst his parent's protests) He served aboard the USS Baltimore in the South Pacific during the occupation of Japan. Two months after reaching his 18th birthday he walked in the ruins of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan which had been destroyed by atomic bombs only 4 1/2 months earlier.

Upon his discharge from active duty in the Navy he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1951. When the Korean War began he volunteered for active duty but was told he would have to wait until after decommissioned ships were placed back into active duty. While waiting to return to active duty in the Navy he was drafted out of the Naval Reserve and placed in the U.S. Army. He complained about being drafted, but to no avail.

He was the #1 marksman in his unit, attaining a near-perfect score in marksmanship.  (He had been a life-long hunter, which didn't hurt). He was also the drill leader for his unit in basic training.  He was assigned for about a year to the Counter Intelligence Corps Center in Baltimore, Maryland before receiving assignments in Washington D.C. and Germany. He spoke very little about these years but did say that he spent more than one night evading the enemy dug in the snow with his dog Rolfe.

While still a student at Little Rock Senior High School, he was employed as a projectionist by United Theaters which later became United Artists Theaters. He joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees which covered both projectionists and theatrical stage employees. He worked as a projectionist until 1961 and also worked in almost all of the stage shows, ice shows, and other major attractions/productions at Robinson Auditorium and Barton Coliseum in Little Rock. He also worked briefly in the film room at the first TV station in Little Rock when all shows before cable were locally produced.

He received a diploma from Little Rock Junior College before receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master's of Science degree in Education from Arkansas State Teacher College which is now the University of Central Arkansas. He then attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he obtained a Doctorate degree in Education Administration with minor emphases in both mathematics and physics (his true loves). While employed as the projectionist at the Heights Theater he began his career in education as a teacher of mathematics and science at the new Hall High school in 1958. He was selected as the Outstanding High School Physics Teacher in Arkansas in 1960 and received a trip and tour of the Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey with two of his students. During the tour they met some of the most outstanding scientists in America at the time, two of whom invented/discovered the transistor. Every time he looked at a computer he commented on this and how far technology had come.

During the Cold War in 1961 he was selected to attend the Radiological Defense School in Battle Creek, Michigan where he was certified as a radiological defense monitor. He later served as the Chief Radiological Defense Officer for the city of Little Rock until that position was assumed by a paid staff member.

A few years later he became Principal of Little Rock Technical High School in 1962.  He later was instrumental in the design and completion of Metropolitan Vocational/Technical High School which opened in 1965 to replace Tech high school.

Dr. Walter Arnold, the Associate Director of the U.S. Office of Education visited Metropolitan High School while in route to a national convention in Dallas in 1966. Dr. Arnold announced during his presentation at the convention that he had toured Metropolitan and found it to be one of the most innovative and exemplary schools in America at that time.

Leonard was promoted to the administrative position of Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services in the Little Rock School District in 1972. He attended conferences sponsored by the National Organization for Legal Problems in Education in 1973-74 where the rights of students were often discussed. As a result of this training he wrote the policy which was adopted by the Little Rock School District which clearly outlined the rights and responsibilities of students. This kind of policy was new in Arkansas so the Arkansas Department of Education created a team which traveled throughout the state to explain the policy. Many school districts adopted the policy and still have it in use as originally written or as slightly modified later. While serving as an Assistant Superintendent he was quoted in six different articles which appeared in the US News and World report concerning education.

Dr. Thalmueller was a past or current member of many organizations and civic groups. He was particularly proud of his membership in the Kiwanis Club in southwest Little Rock in which he maintained perfect attendance at club meetings or functions after joining the club in April 1963. He held every office in the club as well as serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Division 21 in the Missouri/Arkansas District. He was past president of local 204 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Little Rock Principal's Round Table, Little Rock Administrators Association, and the Arkansas Railroad Club. He also was a past board member of the southwest Little Rock YMCA, Saint Andrew United Methodist Church, University of Central Arkansas Alumni Association, and the Arkansas Education Association. He was a former member of many organizations associated with education, such as the Arkansas Association for Curriculum Development, Arkansas School Administrators Association, and the Arkansas Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. He also was a member of the Arkansas Department of Education's first advisory committee for Title Three of the U.S. Elementary and Secondary Education Act. He was a current member of the Rock Island Railroad society, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, and the American Legion. He was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps for six years, U.S. Navy Cruisers association, the USS Baltimore Association, Stuttgart Grand Prairie Museum, and the Brinkley Historic Association.

Dr. Thalmueller loved the outdoors and enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, and playing golf.  He was an excellent swimmer, and as a member of the outstanding swimming team at the Little Rock Boys Club set a state record in relay swimming.

Leonard was a member of the Saint Andrews United Methodist Church for approximately 20 years until moving to Benton and joining the Salem United Methodist Church. He had completed a basic course and six advanced courses to become a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church.

Leonard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Family meant everything to him. He devoted his life to his country and to his state.  He was a second-generation immigrant and was extremely proud to be an American citizen and to serve his country, especially in the military.

Leonard was married for 60+ very happy years to Marion White Sallis who preceded him in death by 3 1/2 years. They told each other every day how much they loved each other. After losing his wife Leonard came to live with his daughter and son-in-law John in Houston, Texas. He enjoyed working Sudoku Puzzles every day, playing with his great grandchildren and participating in family gatherings. In Houston he was surrounded by extended family and friends almost daily. He was always more concerned for others than himself.

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Marion White Sallis; parents, Edward Leonard and Ordra Lee (Livingston) Thalmueller; four brothers, Sammy, Kenneth, Edwin, and Donald; sister, Edwinna and her husband, Lauren Ramsey; brother-in-law, Aubrey Jerome Sallis; cousin, Mary Toler; and his niece, Dana Thalmueller.

He is survived by his daughter, Karla and her husband, John Driskell; five grandchildren, John Jr., Sarita, Angela, Eric (Teri) Driskell, and Ashlee Marion (Daniel) Juarez; seven great grandchildren, Aaron Bivens, Nathan and Nicholas Cossin, John Arlen III and Maya Driskell, Aida Lee and Tobias Daniel Juarez; brother, Jim Frank (Amy) Thalmueller; sister-in-law, Margie Sallis; seven nieces, Lynda (Bradley), Lorna, Lana, Lisa, Lora (Bill), Debra (Dwight), and Melanie (Dan); along with numerous other relatives and great friends who love and miss him dearly.

The celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 12:00 P.M. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that any memorials be made to Pilgrim Lutheran School:

8601 Chimney Rock Road

Houston, Texas 77096

Note: Leonard Thalmueller Memorial.

Attention: Ashlee Marion Driskell Juarez, Principal.