Leroy Johnson of Evans died Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He was 81.
Leroy was born March 20, 1931 in Red Cloud, Nebraska to Emelia Mary (Champoux) and George Leroy Johnson. He moved with his family to Colorado at the age of 3. He attended school in LaSalle, Evans and College High School in Greeley.
Leroy enlisted in the Army in 1950, joining the 4th Field Artillery Regiment. It is the last army regiment to use horses and mules in combat. He served in Korea during the Korean War as a member of the 5th Regimental Combat Team.
On June 6, 1954, Leroy married Lorraine Overman and spent their life here in Evans.
Leroy worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a Fireman and Engineer with 42 years of service, retiring in 1992. He was the last Engineer in the Denver Division qualified to run a steam engine.
He was also active in the community and served on the Evans City Council for two terms and 27 years as an Evans Volunteer Firefighter.
Leroy is survived by his wife, Lorraine; his daughters, Anita (and Jim) Decker of rural Eaton and Lynne (and Mark) Smith of Greeley; his granddaughters LaRee and Alyse Smith; his brother Leo Johnson of Bushnell, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bernard Johnson; and his sister, Mary Jane Crownover.
A funeral service in Leroy's honor will be held Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue in Evans. Interment following at the Evans Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Weld Humane Society or Hospice of Northern Colorado in care of Moser Funeral Service.