TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Col. (Ret.) Edward Levell, Jr. 1931-2024 Aviation Professional, U.S. Air Force
left behind. He was instru- mental in establishing the world famous UTA Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball program. Later in life, Coach LeGrand continued to make a difference in the lives of young people. After leaving UTA, LeGrand served as head basketball coach of Irving High School from 1988- 1994, then as a guidance counselor at Nichols Jr. High School, before ulti- mately retiring in 2011 after 12 years as a counselor at Lamar High School. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, LeGrand was a longtime member of the Fort Worth (TX) Alumni Chapter including leading the chapter as Polemarch [2004-2006]. He was also a member of the Delta Mu chapter of the Grand Boulé of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Brother Robert “Snake” LeGrand is survived by his wife, Gloria, and six children, Lisa, Bobby, Chris, Aurice, Brianna and Brian (Eta Lambda 2008), his ten grandchildren, one grand- child in heaven, and one great-grandchild. On July 23, 2025, U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) presented a reso- lution honoring LeGrand’s life on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. ♦
for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. where he led with distinction before his second retirement. Levell was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and was recognized in the 1990 Who’s Who Among Black Americans. In 1991, he was inducted into the Tuske- gee University Athletic Hall of Fame. Brother Edward Levell, Jr. was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Rosa Maria Casellas Levell.
E dward Levell, Jr, (Phoenix (AZ) Alumni 1968) entered the Chapter Invisible on August 20, 2024, in his Virginia home with family by his side. Born April 2, 1931, in Jacksonville, AL, Levell was the first of four children of the late Edward and Gabrella Leavell. He grew up in Jacksonville, attended Jacksonville High School. He earned a B.A. degree from Tuskegee University and a master’s degree in Urban Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado. He later earned a master’s degree in Management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the National War College. During his military career with the United States Air Force, Levell commanded two Wings and an Air Division, flying over 150 combat missions in Southeast Asia. His exceptional leadership was recognized during his
tenure at the Air Force Academy where, as Deputy Commandant of Cadets, he commanded all 40 Cadet Squadrons, overseeing 4,400 cadets with a steady hand and heart of com- passion. He was honored with numerous awards, including the prestigious Legion of Merit Award, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, Eight Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. In 1983, Levell retired after a 30-year military career as an Air Force Colonel and one of the Tactical Air Command’s most accom- plished fighter pilots and leaders. After his military career, Levell served as Deputy Commissioner of Opera- tions at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for five years where he continued his unwaver- ing dedication to public service. For 11 years, he was Director of Aviation
and his sons Edward, Ruben, Kenneth, and
Raymond. He is survived by Cheryl (Frank) Rivera, Michael “Milo” Levell, Randy (Lisa) Levell and Willie Dantzler; sister Ruby Ann (Joey) Leavell-Hartley ; brothers John Levell and Thomas
(Margaret) Leavell; 19 grandchildren; 13
great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. ♦
WINTER 2025-2026 ♦ THE JOURNAL 91
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