LeRoy Sewall Towle passed away after a short illness at Olympia Manor on February 7th, 2013. He was born in Larchwood, Iowa on October 31st, 1923, to parents Herbert S Towle and Cecil Faye Preston. In 1939, LeRoy, his parents, sister and brother moved “out West” from Nebraska, settling in Aberdeen, Washington.
After graduating from Weatherwax High School in 1941, he began a long career at Safeway stores as a clean-up kid in the meat market. LeRoy always wanted to be a meat cutter and finally obtained that goal, eventually rising to manager of the meat market at the Safeway store in South Bend, Washington. His career was interrupted in January 1942 when he was inducted into the Army. He joined the Army Air Force’s 79th Airdrome Squadron as a munitions worker, obtaining the rank of Corporal. He served in the Asian Pacific Theater in campaigns that included the East Indies, New Quinea, Southern Philippines, Luzon and the Western Pacific. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
After returning from the war, LeRoy married the love of his life, Dorothy. LeRoy returned to work at Safeway as the meat market manager in numerous stores including those in Aberdeen, Shelton, and stores in the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater area. After 47 years, he finally “retired” in 1989 but continued to work part time for about 18 more years when he permanently retired. LeRoy loved to hunt with Uncle Harry Covey and cousin Joe Covey in Eastern Washington and took many fishing trips to “the Potholes” in Eastern Washington spending countless hours sitting by the edge of the pothole for “that one fish”. One trip he especially remembered though was the one he and Dorothy took to Alaska to visit his nephew Gary Towle and they went crabbing, clam digging, salmon and halibut fishing. He was also an avid gardener, tending to both vegetable and flower gardens, specializing in the many dahlia tubers he accumulated over the years. He continued to buy new tubers for his yard right up to the time he went in the hospital in December 2012.
Leroy was preceded in death by his parents Herbert S and Cecil Faye Towle; step mother Edith; his sister Devona Bernice Eddy; and his brother Eldon Towle and sister-in-law Barbara. LeRoy is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Dorothy; son Robert Warren and wife Jan; son Ronald LeRoy and partner Brian; daughter Linda Marie and husband Carl Anderson and 5 grandchildren; Brian Towle, Kari Towle, Colleen Anderson Cuen, Elissa Anderson and Eric Anderson. He also has two great-grandchildren; Isabella (Bella) Cuen and Maya Cuen, whom he never had the opportunity to meet. He is also survived by nephew Gary Towle, AK; niece Janet Towle Dosier, Arizona; and niece Tawny Eddy Harper, Olympia as well as numerous other uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
Leroy lived a very full life, accepting of everyone, compassionate to all, generous with his advise, time and labor and could be counted on for just about anything. All one needed to do was ask. As in life, he deliberated all the angles and then proceeded with a plan. He will be remembered for his countless stories about growing up in Nebraska, hunting/fishing trips, camping trips in the summers with his family, and his undying love and affection for Dorothy. It was his joy and passion in life to take care of and provide for “Momma”, as he affectionately called her. No matter whose life he touched, he made a difference in each one of them. He was loved by all and will be missed very much. You will forever be in our hearts and our memories.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff, nurses and aids at Olympia Manor for their love and compassion in caring for our dad and husband during his time there. You made what would normally be a difficult time that much easier. Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater are handling cremation services. A private, family only, graveside service will be held on March 21st at Masonic Cemetery. A reception/Celebration of Life for family and friends will follow at 2:30pm at Rivers Edge restaurant, Tumwater Valley Golf Club. Please visit www.dignitymemorial.com “obituaries” to sign LeRoy’s on-line guest book and and jot down your remembrances.
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