Early December 30, 2021, Kaye B. McLeod, 84, passed away at her home in Carefree, AZ due to complications from an accidental fall. She was surrounded by her family. Kaye was a loving daughter, sister, mother of three, grandmother of four, and aunt many times over. She was a true and loyal friend to many
She was born in Sioux City, Iowa April 10, 1937. Kaye was adopted by Alpheus W. and Julia J. Brown, who raised her and her sister in Iowa and Kansas. She played Clarinet for the Moran Rural Highschool Band and graduated in 1955 with a music scholarship to attend Kansas University, which she later termed as “a good experience, but an academic disaster.” After a short tour in the USAF, Kaye married and raised her three children in rural Alaska. Once they were all in school, she went to work as the school secretary. She loved the job and her promotions kept her near her children as they progressed through school. In addition, Kaye was involved in children’s scout troops, did bookkeeping for a small air taxi, and played piano at her church on Sundays.
After her marriage ended in 1975, Kaye embarked on what was to become a very successful 20-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration, attaining a position of national prominence as one of the top FAA evaluators, serving at various posts in Alaska, as well as Cedar City, Utah and Federal Way, WA.
Kaye remarried in 1985 and shared two loves with her husband Calvin Moore: cats and camping.
After her retirement from the FAA in 1997, Kaye and Cal moved to Las Vegas, where she found haven at UNLV and pursued her lifelong goal of completing her college degree. Having graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English at the age of 65, she went on to complete a Master’s Degree in History.
She was cherished as a family photographer and chronicler, providing numerous albums that will be valued for generations. She enjoyed genealogy, was an avid reader, and genuinely loved people. She sponsored children through Child Fund (and other agencies) for over 40 years, keeping in touch with them as they aged out of the program. She also supported dozens of causes, including St. Jude children’s Hospital, American Red Cross, and SPCA. Kaye enjoyed travel and was pleased to have visited England, Scotland, Denmark and Sweden, in addition to her motor home jaunts in the US and Canada.
Kaye always had an adventurous spirit. She was no stranger to a 4-wheeler or speed boat ride and was a truly fun and supportive grandmother. For the last 20 years she enjoyed the desert southwest with a particular fondness for the Sonoran. She cherished lifelong friendships, as well as new ones in Kingman and Carefree, AZ. She will be remembered for her gracious and loving nature.
Kaye is survived by her daughters Dianne Davis (Greg), Lorelei LaFleur (David), son Scott McLeod (Karen), grandchildren Stormi Williams, Zachary Davis, Conner McLeod, Avalon McLeod, sister Etta Mae Jorgensen (Ron) and nephews Derek Doty, Darren Doty.
