HARRIS, LEROY LELAND
LeRoy Leland Harris, 76, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of his precious Lord and Savior, on Thursday, September 16, 2010 after battling cancer with quiet dignity, faith, and humor. LeRoy (Roy) was born March 5, 1934, in Roanoke County, VA, the fifth of nine children born to the late Alexander B. and Edith Willis Harris. In addition to his parents Roy was preceded in death by brothers A. B. Harris, Jr. and James C. Harris, and sisters Mary Pittman and Grace Long. Left to cherish his memory is his devoted and loving wife of 57 years, Doris K. Harris, son Larry M. Harris, daughters Debbie Thompson, Crystal and Mark Alouf, and Hollie and Chris Alouf; 7 grandchildren: Cari T. and Joe Roragen, Corey Thompson, Amanda Baker, Taylor, John, Justin and Lucas Alouf, and 2 great-grandchildren: Jacob and Annaliese Roragen, all of Roanoke; brother Tom and Annee Harris; sisters Edith Goad, Edna and Allen Moran and Harriette Lawrence, and sisters-in-law Ann Harris and Claudia Harris; many nieces, nephews, and extended family, as well as many special friends and Masonic ‘Brothers.’
LeRoy was a lifelong member of Red Hill Baptist Church, loved his church family, and served his Lord as a Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, and member of the Building and Grounds Committee. After attending Andrew Lewis High School, he joined the US Navy serving on the USS Atka during the Korean Conflict. After service he returned to school under the GI Bill, graduating from Vioud School. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railway in 1996 with 42 years service as brakeman and conductor on Roanoke Terminal. Roy was an extremely proud active member of the Masons especially enjoying his role as ‘coach’ to countless candidates. He was a Gold Card Master Mason, current member and Past Master of Melrose Masonic Lodge 139, Murray Royal Arch Chapter 22, Bayard Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, Roanoke Chapter of the Scottish Rite, member of the Kazim Shrine, and Past Chief of the Kazim Fire Brigade. Roy was owner of Parkway Stables which he began in 1966, and was an active member of the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club. He will be greatly remembered for his love of family and friends, strong belief in God and the Second Amendment, and his great enjoyment of cooking for family gatherings, church, and Christmas breakfast, featuring his famous homemade yeast rolls and sausage gravy for friends and family for over 50 years.
The family will receive friends from 6pm-8pm on Saturday, September 18, and 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8 pm on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at Oakey’s South Chapel, 4257 Brambleton Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA. Funeral services will be conducted in the chapel at 12:00 Noon Monday, September 20, 2010 with Rev. James Jordan and Rev. Claude Carter officiating; interment at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Red Hill Baptist Church, 6251 Franklin Rd, Roanoke, VA, 24014.
