LeRoy Lawrence Smith 1935-2019 On January 31, 2019, LeRoy “Roy” Lawrence Smith, 83, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones. LeRoy was born July 4, 1935 in Framnas Township, Minnesota, to Olivia and Lester Smith. He was the second oldest of 11.
He grew up on the family farm and told stories of his dad’s horses and the many goodies his mom would preserve and bake. One of his favorite desserts was strawberry rhubarb pie. Shortly after graduating from Bagley High School in 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
He met his wife Sang “Kim”, while serving in Inchon, Korea. His years in the navy took the family from Korea to Taiwan, California, Washington and Alaska. LeRoy received his Associates Degree from Olympic College, in Bremerton, Washington.
After completing school he was assigned to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. During his career he proudly served under four admirals, retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1979 as a Master Chief Petty Officer, Yeomen. He loved to bowl.
He and Kim bowled with their Vallejo SIRs team for 30 years. He was fiercely competitive and bowled three days a week, until just a few weeks before his passing. He served as treasurer for the SIRs.
Roy was the family genealogist, he wrote a book about his great grandfather Christian Zimmerman’s life. On Monday’s, Roy enjoyed going to the casino with Kim to play the nickel slots. Some of his happiest days were spent with his two grandchildren Scott and Phoebe.
LeRoy is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sang Kap Kim, sons Paulus (Susan) and John (Julie), grandchildren Scott, Phoebe and Jamie (Daniel) and great grandchild Kiley, brothers and sisters, Elaine (John) Millar, Fargo, ND; Ronald Smith, Shevlin, MN; Lyle (Sue) Smith, Aberdeen, SD; David (Kathryn) Smith, Richfield, MN; Dianne Haukland, Coon Rapids, MN; Marilyn (Jeff) Prochnow, Casselton, ND; Douglas (Rae) Smith, Gardner, ND; Russell (Terri) Smith, Moorhead, MN; Colleen (Doug) Lindgren, Bagley, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. LeRoy was preceded in death by older half-brother James Grote, Freeport, TX, mother Olivia and father Lester Smith formerly of Shevlin. Visitation will be held 10 am – 5 pm with funeral service and U.S. Navy honor guard flag presentation at 2 pm on February 7, 2019 at the Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo.
www. twinchapelsmortuary.com. Private burial will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon, CA.
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