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By lex, on March 4th, 2013
In honor of the year that has passed since we lost Carroll, the Hobbit (Mary) will once again be at Shakespeare’s Pub in San Diego at 5:00 PM and she plans on staying a few hours. I apologize for the late notice, but we would love for anyone in the area to stop by and share a Guinness, or even a shot of Jameson in memory.
Thank you again for all of your kind words, support and care over the past year,
The entire LeFon Family
By Kat, on March 4th, 2013
In honor of the year that has passed since we lost Carroll, the Hobbit (Mary) will once again be at Shakespeare’s Pub in San Diego at 5:00 PM. I apologize for the late notice, but we would love for anyone in the area to stop by and share a Guinness, or even a shot of Jameson in memory.
Thank you again for all of your kind words, care and support over the past year,
The entire LeFon Family
By lex, on March 4th, 2013
In honor of the year that has passed since we lost Carroll, the Hobbit (Mary) will once again be at Shakespeare’s Pub in San Diego at 5:00 PM. I apologize for the late notice, but we would love for anyone in the area to stop by and share a Guinness, or even a shot of Jameson in memory.
Thank you again for all of your kind words, support and care over the past year,
The entire LeFon Family
By lex, on November 9th, 2012
From Chris(SNO)-
Today is the first day I won’t be able to wish him a “Happy Birthday” over the phone via FaceTime, or the Stone-Age method of actually calling. It’s been a very strange experience. We had the standard father-son relationship with hunting trips when we could, talked about life during down times, and of course all things aviation/Navy related. We shared stories and asked what was different and how he did this or I did that. I had hoped to take him in a helicopter for one of his birthdays or as a Christmas gift to show him what flying really is! Joking of course, I just had to give him and his jet buddies a playful jab. As I continue to learn more about what goes into being an aviator, ground jobs and working with other military branches, I find myself wanting to pick up the phone to call him for guidance or just to complain about the day and hear “how it used to be in my time”. I’ll never forget the expertise and words of wisdom he imparted on me in regards to family, friends, and work. I hope to some day be half the man he was. I would like to end with my father’s favorite quote, modified slightly, from Gladiator, “If you find yourself alone, flying in CAVU skies with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you’re already dead!” Happy Birthday Old Man! *Raises a pint of Guinness and a shot of Jameson*
Ashley(Biscuit)-
When asked to write about my father I became overwhelmed with different things I want to share. I want to talk about how much we had in common. For instance, how both of our first jobs were at Baskin Robins. He would tell me I was the female version of himself but in a way he could have never predicted. I have always been a “daddy’s girl.” I am not sure what drives the connection between father and daughter. I am not sure if it was growing up under him or our genetics that makes me feel so close to him but its something that a person only feels with family. Something my father always knew, but I took a little longer to figure out. At his service my uncle spoke of a car accident my dad had been in some thirty odd years ago in which he flipped his new red convertible soft-top jaguar and landed upside in a ditch, just short of miraculous not only to be alive, but also unhurt. My uncle talked about how most people wouldn’t have lived through that event and regardless of what you believe to be true about why that happened, what happened after that was his almost just as amazing. Somewhere between a long list of accomplishments in the Navy, a happy thirty year marriage to my mother, and three strong kids, my father built a full life for himself. He gave selflessly to his family and to his country. Again this is something I wish I could have appreciated sooner. He was one of those people who was good at everything they tried, in that annoying sort of way but also the same person who would never admit it to himself or any other. I know every girl believes their dad to be the best but mine actually is. My dad was and still is the funniest, smartest man I have ever known but chances are if you’re here reading this you have probably come to some of those same conclusions on your own. My father taught me everything I know about life and myself, in his life and in his death, a cost at most times hard to bare. All I can think though is, that he too lost his parents when he was twenty-one (he passed just days after my twenty first birthday) but he pushed on to do all the things he loved with all the passion he had in him. I want to be a person like that. I want to live my life doing what makes me happy, even up to the very last moments. I already know if he could see me today, the person I have become, that he would rest peacefully because I know its going to be okay. One of the hardest things dealing with was being in a world he no longer was a part of, so I made it not true. I decided to make him part of me, because he already was, and try to carry on in the best of my ability. I am going to continue to take care of myself and to push myself because I am a LeFon and I know really understand what that means. The last time I spoke to my dad was the morning he passed when I was supposed to be going in to get my wisdom teeth out. He told ” Be brave. You’ll be okay. I love you.” Those words play in my endlessly but I couldn’t really ask for a better good bye. I love you, Dad.
From Kate(Kat)-
I remember being on the east coast for Christmas, I couldn’t have been more than five or six years old at the time. And this year, I wanted one thing, the giant stuffed bear from FAO Schwartz. I had my eye on it since I had circled it in a magazine months before and absolutely nothing else would do. A few days before Christmas my dad took me to get some last minute gifts at the mall, and while he had no idea my ulterior motives, I knew I would be coming home with that bear. Before he knew it we were at the checkout stand purchasing a bear too big to be put inside a bag. For the remainder of the shopping trip I sat perched on my dad’s shoulders while he carried this monstrosity around the mall. But he didn’t complain and I remember going home and sitting with that bear all night. And I remember seeing him smiling at me. He was a smiley man, always laughing and telling jokes, often ones not as funny as he might have thought. But that was him. That was my dad. He was never as concerned with himself as he was with the rest of us, family absolutely always came first for him. He was the Giving Tree of our family, but he was so much more. He had a way with words, as I’m sure any one who has ever read a post of his can agree with. But he could piece together advice in ways that no one else has ever seemed to manage to. Everyday I can still hear his voice reminding me of the things he used to tell Chris, Ashley and me when we were down, stressed, or just needing guidance. He had a way of bringing things into perspective, reminding us what exactly it is we are complaining about when we are otherwise so extremely blessed. My days constantly remind me of him, there are times when I want to text him because I got a good grade or to tell him a funny story about the dog, and instinctively I’ll pull out my phone before remembering, “I can’t do that anymore.” I was at Starbucks with my sister one afternoon, the place was empty except for us and the two workers. Barely audible over the sounds of coffee machines and grinders, the sounds of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” filled the background. Just barely audible enough to spark recognition, and before we know it were both crying. Reminded of our dad, our dad and that song. Reminded of the way he used to sing it when he drove us around, smiling and laughing. Reminding us of the way things once were and the way they are now. We spent the whole car ride reminiscing, stories of the holidays, of our dad slicing the turkey, teaching us to drive, fishing on Father’s day, and of birthdays. This year we celebrate his birthday for the first time without him. But we have memories. And pictures. Happy times. We celebrate the life of the man who raised us, instilled our values, and taught us to be ourselves and to be proud of that. We celebrate his birthday, because for the first time, he cannot. Today, I think of my dad. Of the way he loved flying. I think of the way his eyes lit up when he checked the sky as a plane flew overhead. I think of the smile through his voice when he told stories about being a pilot. I think about how truly blessed he was to be able to make a living off something he enjoyed. I think of how truly blessed my family was to have him. I think of how truly blessed my family is to have everyone that has supported us. But no tribute to my dad would be complete with a quote from Yeat’s so, “I heard the old, old man say, all that’s beautiful drifts away, like the waters.” Happy Birthday, Daddy, I’ll always love you.
By lex, on October 30th, 2012
Hey everyone!
Friday November 9th is my dad’s birthday and in honor of it my mom would like to get a group together of anyone and everyone who is in San Diego and wants to get a beer (Guinness, of course). The plan is Shakespeare’s Pub on 3701 India St.
San Diego, CA 92103 around 5:30PM and planning to stay until 7 or 8PM. We would love it if whoever can swing it can come by, although we understand not everyone lives in San Diego so we aren’t expecting much.
Also, each of us kids plans on posting a little something on the blog for his birthday so we’re hoping you guys might check that out when the time comes.
Thanks always- Kat
By lex, on May 28th, 2012
I’m not quite sure if anyone still looks at this site, but even so it didn’t feel right to not post a final word. A thank you note, I guess.
I am “Kat,” Lex’s youngest daughter. In the bustle of the last few months my family and I have been neglecting the blog, unsure what the next step for his site would be. At some point, the domain expired; and while my father was many things, organized on the computer he was not. So after a series of jumping through hoops and searching through his computer I finally figured out how to get it back up. My family and I would like to keep it, as so many of you have also requested. On behalf on my whole family, I would like to thank you all for the support, care, and loving words about my father. It is nothing short of breathtaking to read the beautiful things you have all said and it means more than I can possibly express through a blog post.
Thank you all so very much.
Sincerely- Kat
By Whisper, on March 13th, 2012
Captain Carroll “Lex” Lefon, USN (ret) will be interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. The funeral will be at the Fort Rosencrans chapel on March 27th at 1:00pm. The “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94, the squadron that Lex commanded, will conduct a fly-over.
The family has graciously invited Lex’s many friends and fans here at Neptunus Lex to attend. Their only request is that you consider carpooling due to limited parking at Fort Rosencrans.
Lex’s former employer, ATAC, is coordinating a charity that will be accepting donations in lieu of flowers. When details about charities and scholarship funds become available, they will be posted on Neptunus Lex. ATAC’s latest press release can be found here.
Condolences can be mailed to:
3525 Del Mar Heights Road #605
San Diego, CA 92130-2122
By Whisper, on March 8th, 2012
I mourn the passing of a great naval aviator, a professional analyst of all things naval, and a soulful and compelling writer of poetry and prose – Ray Mabus, SecNav.
cross-posted at Naval Institute blog
By Whisper, on March 7th, 2012
When Lex “left the keys in it” for me to be a guest blogger here about a year ago, we didn’t discuss what to do in this occasion. I am at a loss. I did feel the need to provide one place for your tributes and condolences to collect. So here it is.
As Lex would say, talk amongst yourselves.
Very Respectfully,
Whisper
By lex, on March 6th, 2012
AG Eric Holder attempts to explain a few of the circumstances under which your government might kill you:
“Given the nature of how terrorists act and where they tend to hide, it may not always be feasible to capture a United States citizen terrorist who presents an imminent threat of violent attack,” Mr. Holder said in a speech at Northwestern University’s law school. “In that case, our government has the clear authority to defend the United States with lethal force…”
“Some have argued that the president is required to get permission from a federal court before taking action against a United States citizen who is a senior operational leader of Al Qaeda or associated forces,” Mr. Holder said. “This is simply not accurate. ‘Due process’ and ‘judicial process’ are not one and the same, particularly when it comes to national security. The Constitution guarantees due process, not judicial process.”
Well, that’s reassuring. They used “due process“, just like the Constitution called for, and without having to explain themselves to some tedious jurist.
‘When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’
‘The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’
‘The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.’
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