Leo Joseph LeRoux, Jr. 1/26/1925 - 5/27/2021

A good, long life for a good man. Son of Sarah and Leo, brother to Betty, husband to his beautiful and beloved Joan. Father to a blended family of 8 children. Grandfather to 14, great-grandfather to 17 and great-great-grandfather to 2. Since moving from Michigan to California in 2013 after Joan's death, Leo grew his family to include the Harvey, Giarritta and Lagos-Vasquez clans, who he loved as his own. Special among them are David, Martha, Jeff and Janey who loved and cared for him and made California home for him, and Rich who was a friend to him. No one will miss him more than his daughter, Janice, so many blessings he brought her. Leo was a munitions bearer in Europe during WWII and received a Purple Heart. He was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled American Veterans for most of his life. After working in retail for many years, he became a field service officer in Battle Creek for the DAV, helping veterans receive benefits. He was hired as the Department Adjutant for the DAV Michigan, where he worked until his retirement at 73. During that time, he served on many national committees, including one to make the Statue of Liberty accessible and another with the National Archives to exhibit nationwide the Bill of Rights on its 200th Anniversary. Even after his retirement, he was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Michigan Veterans Homes Board of Managers. He was honored many times for his commitment to veterans and growing the leadership of the DAV at all levels. He was a dear friend and loving man to many. Leo enjoyed good food, especially coffee, donuts, a BBQ with lots of sweet corn, Canadian Club & 7-up or a cold MGD. Everything was better with lots of butter. Laughing with family and friends, doing yardwork, flirting with a pretty lady and snoozing outside in the sun were his favorite things to do. He was always accompanied by an overly-fed dog and had Hershey's chocolate within arm's reach. He loved watching sports, a fan of the Detroit Tigers and always hopeful that the Lions would have a good year.A memorial lunch will be held for his California friends and family at 11 a.m. on July 10 at Colfax's Veterans Memorial Hall. Leo's funeral mass and internment will take place in August in Michigan. To those wishing to donate in his memory, please consider sending a check to DAV Department of Michigan, 17779 E. 14 Mile Rd., Fraser, MI 48026 or donating online to Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at https://placerspca.org/support/donate/