Edward John Leviker

Edward (Ed)John Leviker flew to the stars on October 11, 2024 from his home in Grand County, Colorado. 

Born in 1944, he was the son of Maurice and Vera Leviker, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan Leviker, and their daughter, Kelly Leviker of Denver and her husband, Tewodros Atalay, and his six-year old grandson, Fenot Leviker-Workineh. Ed is also survived by his sister, Delores Mastrangelo (Joseph Sr) of Miami, Florida, his brother, Wayne Leviker of Miami and his nephew, Joseph Jr. of Key Largo. Ed is also survived by his two sister-in-laws, Marsha Green of Sellersville, Pa. and Cecelia Green-Geer (Rodney Geer) of Palm Coast, Florida as well as his two fur companions, Autumn and Sassy Bear.

Ed graduated from Lowville Academy in New York in 1962, where he participated in numerous sports teams including swimming, cross country, and tennis. He attended Paul Smith College, where he majored in hotel management. He moved to Miami, Florida to attend flight school to chase his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. He enlisted in the Coast Guard, serving with honor until receiving an honorable discharge. He was hired by Braniff International Airlines in 1966 as a commercial pilot. His aviation buddies would appreciate his commercial ratings on the following planes: BAC 111, DC 9, 10, and Boeing 707, 727, & 737. He retired from his aviation career in 2002 as a Captain on the Airbus 219, 220, & 221.

Although his aviation destinations included South America, the Pacific, and numerous domestic locales, his favorite destination was Grand County, Colorado, where he built a log home in the 1970’s. In his retirement he enjoyed celebrating birthdays and holidays with his grandson, Fenot, enjoying the heat from his wood stove, looking for wildlife visitors, and watching sunsets over the Continental Divide. Another one of his passions included building scratch-built model ships and being a member of the Rocky Mountain Shipwrights and the Nautical Research Guild.

 He died peacefully in his sleep on the same night many Grand County residents and visitors were able to witness the Aurora Borealis, which would be very special to him as a stargazer and fan of the evening sky.

Donations can be made to Namaste Angels (memo to Grand County Hospice), 5161 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial, Colorado 80122.