LeRoy Adrian Morton, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great great-grandfather, 89 passed away on Friday, March 4, 2016 in Skagit County, Washington.
LeRoy was born on March 26, 1926 in Boone, Colorado, the son of Adrian and Elsie Morton. He was raised in Boone and attended school in Pueblo, Colorado where he graduated from high school.
He met the love of his life, Dorothy, at the age of 15, at a church social. LeRoy and Dorothy were engaged and eventually married at the age of 19 after WWII. They were married 68 years, until Dorothy’s passing in 2014. The couple made their home at Pueblo until 1955, when they moved to the Skagit Valley. While at Pueblo, two children were born, Charles and Cathy. After arriving in Washington, two additional children, were born, Ron and Cindy. LeRoy and Dorothy built their new life near Burlington on Morton Road. LeRoy resided on the family farm at Morton Road until shortly before his passing.
LeRoy and Dorothy’s young courtship was interrupted by WWII. LeRoy joined the US Marine Corps at the age of 17, during his senior year of high school. He celebrated his 18th birthday at Marine Corp basic training at Camp Pendleton in California. After completing basic training, he returned to Pueblo where he graduated from high school prior to shipping out for combat duty. LeRoy served his county proudly in the Pacific Theater, and fought bravely at Iwo Jima. He was wounded (very nearly fatally) at Iwo Jima and recovered from his wound in Hawaii, to later return to service during the occupation of Japan. LeRoy received the Purple Heart award from the Marine Corps. Upon returning to his home town in Pueblo, he and Dorothy were married and continued their lives together.
LeRoy was a farm boy at heart and learned at a young age that life was meant to be lived actively and anchored by hard work and perseverance. LeRoy was most of all a good man and was appreciated and loved by all who knew him. As a father, LeRoy passed along many life lessons to his children and of course, these were best taught on the family farm. There were many opportunities to learn these lessons with the backdrop of clearing land, cutting and chopping firewood, gardening, milking the family cow, raising calves, hogs, chickens, and harvesting hay during the summer and let’s not forget learning to deal with the most stubborn horse in the world. Of course, the most important lesson was to treat everyone with respect and dignity. LeRoy managed to teach these life lessons to his children while working for many years as a salesman, first in insurance, then door to door home products, and finally in industrial supplies. LeRoy served as the Alger Fire Department Commissioner from 1987 to 1997 and also volunteered time to 4-H. He loved to travel and he and Dorothy spent many vacations on road trips across the USA, both before and after retirement.
LeRoy is survived by son Charles (Gretchen), daughter Cathy Costanti (Dan), son Ron (Dorene), and daughter Cindy Stahlecker (Danny), 12 grandchildren, Mark, William, Chad, Cherise, Greg, Ryan, Jennifer, Lee, Scott, Ben, Monique, Laura, 21 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Graveside services with military honors will be held at Bow Cemetery on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 2pm, officiating will be Pastor Rich DeRuiter, Alger Community Church. Following the services, a reception will be held. Memorial Contributions are suggested to Hospice of the Northwest, the Bradford House or the Alger Fire Department.
I feel deeply grateful that God allowed me to meet such an amazing man as LeRoy. He loved his family with all his being. His love story inspired me when I was sad and lonely. His service to our country and his sacrifices for our freedom humble me everyone I put on the same uniform he wore. I hope one day to be half the man, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and Marine he was.
I draw comfort knowing that he is with his family in heaven with our Lord. My prayers go to his family and friends. He was always so proud of Mark! I will remember his big smile and laugh as he bragged about Mark.
Semper Fidelis Marine. See you in heaven.
Hi Charles & Cathy, We regret hearing that your remaining Parent has passed away but the wonder of it is that Leroy and Dorothy are back together again. It has been more than 10 years since Betty and I visited your family there at their home and we were privileged to meet all of you folks that we had never met before. Leroy was a great fellow and he and Dorothy were a match made to be. Of course I knew Dorothy since I was born and we used to stay with them in Pueblo. We miss our relatives greatly because we seldom get to see any of them any more, living across the country, but your father was very special to us as was your mother. God Bless!
We will cherish our many years of friendship with Le Roy and Dorothy and may they both rest in peace – together again !!
Dear Charlie and Cathy ~ we just read of your father’s passing. Don and I cannot remember meeting him, yet through the writing of his life, we smile as we get a glimpse of the kind of man your father was and how you both learned so much growing up with him. With such memories to fall back on, we pray that even in your grieving you will feel pride and peace. sincerely, Don and Michele Power