Leas died November 21, 2017. He attended Shasta H.S. and Shasta Jr. College in Redding before getting his Bachelor's Degree from Chico State University. He jumped at Redding 1961-67 and 1973.

After graduating from college he joined the Air Force and became a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot and flew both large transports and helicopters in Vietnam.

Leas then worked for the USFS as a pilot and flew jumpers out of Redmond 1992-96. After retiring, he taught English to non-English speaking people at Rogue Community College in Oregon.