LeRoy Felker passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. He was born May 22, 1947 in Dexter Missouri. When LeRoy was five years old, his parents brought him to Arizona, where his father, Lee got a job picking citrus fruit. His father told him “We’re going to Arizona, where money grows on trees,” meaning the citrus.
LeRoy graduated from Mesa High School 1966, and earned a Fire Science Degree from Mesa Community College.
LeRoy served in the United States Army from September 6, 1967 through April 14, 1970. During that time he fought for our freedom and served his tour of duty in Viet Nam. He told some stories of his life there, one I remember was when he was out in the bush for 43 days straight, how hard it was. They had no bath, no clean clothes, ate out of their helmets (canned rations) and couldn’t take their shoes off, if they did sometimes you couldn’t get them back on. He was an “American Hero”. After the Service, he worked at the mines in Superior AZ, for a few years. In 1976 – 2006, he was hired onto Mesa Fire Department. LeRoy gave it his all and loved every minute of it. He retired after 30 years of dedicated service.
LeRoy loved playing softball and basketball, when he was younger. He loved coaching Pee Wee and Little League Baseball, with his grandsons. He coached them for 12 years, with East Mesa Recreation Association and Red Mt. Little League. LeRoy went all out to have a great end of the baseball season party. He made certificates with all the boys stats on them along with Gold Medals engraved with their name and team name on it. He had trophies for the MVP, Best Batting Avg., Most Stolen Bases, Golden Glove and Most Improved. He had goodie bags for each of the kids and a Pizza Party at the Fire Station. All the kids got to ride on the Fire Truck and then be surprised with a giant spray of water, from the truck. These are memories all the kids will never forget.
LeRoy and his wife Helen were in charge of doing fund raisers, along with the Mesa Firefighters to earn enough money to be able to take the Firefighter athletes to the 1989 Vancouver, Canada, World Police and Fire Games. Athletes from all over the world attended to compete. Mesa Fire earned many gold and silver medals.
LeRoy’s greatest joy in life was simply being with Helen, as they have come to truly know and value each other over 59 years.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his mother, Ore Bell Felker-Hammett, father, George Lee Felker, daughter Julie Denise Felker, step-father, Merl Hammett, and son-in-law, Brandon Olmstead.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Sue Clark-Felker, daughter, Jennifer Renee Felker -grandchildren: Ashlee & Andrew; Darwin McKee (Wife Sara) – grandchildren: Maegan, Porter and Zachary; step-daughter, Brandi Renee Hannum-Fitzgerald (Husband Scott)- grandchildren, Jake (Wife Ashley) ,(Great Grandsons, Jaiden & Emmett), Cody, Justin (Wife Anita), Caden; and step-daughter Bobbi Jo Hannum-Olmstead, (Husband, Brandon, deceased), Hunter and Tanner.
Services will begin Monday July 20, 2020 with a Rosary Service 4:00-5:00 p.m., open visitation/viewing 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery, 7900 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207, with the Funeral Service Tuesday July 21, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery.
There will be a reception following on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Arizona Golf Resort, 425 South Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85206.
Everyone loved Leroy and his stories, he will be missed!
Hired on with Leroy in August 1976 ( class of 39 ) , WHAT A CHARACTER he was . I will never forget our years playing on the Mesa Fire softball team which got us 3 metals in the Arizona Firefighters Olympics . His passion for coaching kids undeniable . Like Bill said he had a lot of stories .You were a goodhearted person Leroy and you will be missed .