Leilani Mogford

Obituary for Leilani (Kalana) Mogford

Beloved wife, sister, aunt, great aunt, and great great aunt, Leilani passed away on August 25, 2025 in Abilene, Texas. Upon her husband's discharge from the Air Force on June 1st, 1989 they moved to Austin, Texas to be near to relatives and an Air Force base that soon closed. Choosing to live near an active Air Force Base they moved to Abilene, Texas in 2009 near to Dyess, Air Force Base.

She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 13,1939 to Kimo and Edith Lucille Kalana. She married George Mogford in Sweetwater, Texas on February 14,1978 when he came home from Korea after a heart attack.

Leilani and George had known each other most of their lives starting when their families lived near each other in Plainview, Texas. Her brother James (Jim) married George's sister Wanda when George was three years old just before his family moved to Monte Vista, Colorado. His family moved back to Plainview from Colorado and Midland, Texas and Jim's family moved to Alamosa, Colorado. Leilani's family had moved back to Texas from Washington, DC.

After graduating from Plainview High School Leilani served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah while her sister Pualani served as a missionary to one of the Indian tribes; and later Leilani worked for her brother Frank who was a dentist in Houston, Texas; and she later worked as an administrator for the Sweetwater, Texas Hospital.

Leilani is survived by her husband of 47 years, George. While they had no children she enjoyed many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews between the two families.

A private family viewing and funeral service will be held on September 3, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints.

A committal service will be held on September 3, 2025 at the Texas State Veteran's Cemetery at Abilene.