Leslie James Kocour, Jr.

Leslie “Les” James Kocour Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 28, 1933, and slipped
away peacefully on December 26, 2022, “his girls” at his side, after a short battle with failing
health.

Les grew up in Berwyn, Illinois playing baseball and football at Morton High School.  He
graduated with a business degree from Florida Southern University, where he was President of
the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.  Thereafter, Les served his country as a Military Intelligence
Specialist in the United States Army, stationed in Baltimore.

In 1953, Les met his one and only, Sonya “Sunny” Matthews, also a student at Florida
Southern.  Sunny and Les were married for 66 active and adventure-filled years, and Les loved
her dearly.  Their marriage set an example for their children.  Together, they raised three strong,
capable daughters, Karen Schliep (Lloyd), Susan Harris (Ray) and Patti Kocour (Mike Week)
who all adored him.  Les’ mission in life was to take care of all “his girls.”

Les worked his way up in the family business, the Kocour Company, from salesman to its long-
time President.  With Sunny’s unwavering support, Les proudly grew the Company to be an
international and respected supplier to the metal finishing industry, which survived many of its
competitors.  After retiring at age 75, he remained actively engaged by serving as Chairman of
the Board, ushering Kocour Company up to its 100th Anniversary to be celebrated in 2023.
Les worked hard to provide for his family, but he played just as hard.  He liked to be the first to
get the latest “toy” or gadget and surprise the family.  These included “ON TV (first cable),”
Pong (first home video game), surprise deliveries of the latest ski equipment, a minibike that
Santa delivered to the living room, and walking one of his kids all the way to the local Radio
Shack to reveal the revolutionary “you have to hear it to believe it”  Sony Walkman radio
headset in the early 1980s.

He loved to entertain, whether that was giving rides in his boat, teaching someone to water or
snow ski, or tending bar at a party.  He volunteered for the National Ski Patrol in his younger
years. He golfed with the Order of the Albatross group and traveled the world with Sunny and
many friends to ski, golf or sightsee. Les enjoyed watching his young girls play sports, taking the
family on ski trips, and stuffing the car to drive to Florida for beach vacations.

However, when his daughters married, Les had some “boys” in the family at last, and began arranging “men
only” trips and activities with them.  He treated them like sons.
He also loved classic cars.  He owned, over time, several classic Cadillacs, a red and white
1960 Corvette, and a canary yellow convertible 1969 Corvette Stingray.  He invented the Pup
Cup long before Starbucks did; on nice days he would put the top down and take his Golden
Retriever, Honey (another girl), riding shotgun to Baskin-Robbins for “2 cups, 1 spoon.”
Sunny and Les were “snowbirds” with full social lives in both Illinois and Florida.  Les was an
active golfing member of both Medinah Country Club in Medinah, IL and Quail West in Naples,
FL through the age of 88.

Les was preceded in death by his father Leslie James Kocour Sr., his mother Blanche Kolinger
Kocour, his brother Ronald Kocour, and his beloved Golden Retriever, Honey.
In addition to Les’ three daughters, he treasured his four grandchildren and four great
grandchildren:  granddaughter Nicole Hummel (Dave) and their children Lillian Sonia and David
Martin; grandson Colton Schliep (Katie) and their children Molly Grace and Mason Leslie;
granddaughter Jordyn Week; and grandson Alexander Week.

Les was loved by all and will be missed beyond measure.  Family brought a smile until the end.
And ice cream.  And cocktail hour.

A Celebration of Life Reception will be held for all friends, family and acquaintances on Friday,
January 6, 2023 in Medinah, IL.  Please contact family at LES.01.06.23@gmail.com for event
details. A private family burial will be at Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL under the
direction of Salerno-Rosedale Funeral Home in Roselle, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Les’ memory to the American Heart Association.