Leland Emerson Boren, 95, industrialist, farmer, and philanthropist, died on November 23, 2018.
Leland was born in Owensville, Indiana, to Doyle and Esther Boren on April 2, 1923. He was a 1941 graduate of Anderson High School in Anderson, Indiana. Before he graduated, he began working as a heat treat specialist with the Nicholson File Company and remained there until 1945 when he began working for Pierce Governor Company, Inc. There he started as a material control clerk and worked his way through the ranks until he became president of the company in 1958.
Mr. Boren became the president and a director of Avis Industrial Corporation in 1969. In 1971 The Pierce Governor Company was merged with Avis. He was elected chairman of the board of Avis Industrial Corporation in 1983. He was chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Avis Industrial Corporation up until his death. He also has been president of PHD, Inc. (Fort Wayne and Huntington, Indiana) since 2010.
During his career Mr. Boren has served on the boards of various manufacturing companies and played an active role in the growth of the banking industry in Indiana.
Mr. Boren received honorary doctorates from four universities (Taylor, Anderson, Indiana Wesleyan, and Ball State). He also received an honorary degree from Ivy Tech Community College. He is the recipient of four Sagamores of the Wabash, the highest honor the Governor bestows upon a citizen of Indiana (Bayh, O’Bannon, Kernan, and Holcomb).
He is survived by sons Lael (Polly) Boren, Upland, Landrew (Lana) Boren, Hughes Springs, Texas; daughter, Lori Meyers, Marion; sister, Lucille Ashby, Anderson; nephews David Ashby, Anderson, Dennis Ashby, Glen Ellen, IL; and grandchildren: Andrew Bowser, Samy Bowser, Kenny Meyers, Karan Meyers, Katelyn Boren, Luke Boren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, LaRita Rae (Gibbs) Boren, and his brother-in-law, Duane Gibbs.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 30, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Avis Industrial Corporation, 1909 S. Main Street, Upland. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, December 1, at 11:00 am at the Rediger Chapel in the LaRita Boren Campus Center at Taylor University, Upland.
Memorials may be directed to Ball State University Autism and ABA Programs, 2000 West University, Muncie, IN 47306 or the Leland E. Boren Endowed Scholarship Fund, Taylor University, 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, IN 46989.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.