Roy Raymond Leonard

Roy Raymond Leonard, 91, of Island City died at a local care center on July 6, 2005. Celebration of life services will begin at 3pm Tuesday at the First Christian Church in La Grande. Burial will be at the Island City Cemetery.

Roy was born to Frances and Martha Lingely Leonard in Delmeade, Canada on May 26, 1914. He was one of 13 children. He had five brothers and seven sisters. Roy moved to Blaine, Washington when he was 6 years old, and then moved to La Grande in 1932. In high school he played baseball and community softball. He married Leola Marie Wilcox on May 21, 1944. She died in May 1981 and they had no children. Mr. Leonard then married Loree Ready on June 18, 1982 in Azusa, California. After the marriage he became active in the First Christian Church of La Grande, where they have been active members ever since.

Mr. Leonard was a life member of the La Grande Elks Lodge, a rock hound with the Blue Mountain Gem Club and a member of the Tri Mountain Good Sam Club. He loved camping, traveling and fishing. He was an avid hunter and also enjoyed gardening. Mr. Leonard was also very active in the Island City Rural Fire Department and was on the board of directors for the Island City Cemetery. He was instrumental in starting the "Tri-County Wool Pool."

Mr. Leonard loved to joke and was known by all the ladies as the "Candy Man" because he would always have candy for the ladies. He was also very active with Neighbor to Neighbor Ministries in La Grande.

Besides his first wife, his sisters, Coral Bergeron, Zella Petersen, Edna Culp, lola Zubrick and Patricia Rutz and brothers, Bert, Walter and Gordon (who was shot down in World War II) Leonard died earlier.

He is survived by his wife, Loree of La Grande; two brothers, Fred and Iris Leonard of Monroe, Washington and Phil Leonard of Klamath Falls; a sister, Edith Dahl of Columbia Falls, Montana; step-daughter, Vicki Schofield of Arcata, California and a step=granddaughter, Carloree and her husband, Jeff Hoppe of Mission Viejo, California and great great grandchild, Devynn Hoppe.

Memorial contributions may be made in Roy Leonard's name directly to the First Christian Church, 901 Penn Street, La Grande, 97850 or Neighbor to Neighbor Ministries, PO Box 1135, La Grande.