LEROY EDWARD MUCH
JUNE 5, 1945 – SEPTEMBER 19, 2020
Leroy Edward Much, loving husband, grandfather, and longtime resident of Helena, passed away September 19, 2020, after a 2.5 year courageous battle with Pancreatic cancer at his son Eric’s home surrounded by family. He was born in Lewistown, Montana on June 5, 1945 to Edward and Nellie Much.
Leroy was the oldest of six siblings. His younger years were spent in Harlowton where he enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, and swimming in the Musselshell River at the boy’s favorite swimming hole. Some of his favorite times was working with Grandpa Jones on the T Bar J Ranch rounding up cattle.
Leroy spent high school years in Helena, where the family moved after his mother remarried.
He met his first wife, Virginia “Ginny” Lipes during high school and they were married in 1964. Leroy’s first son Eric was born soon after.
Leroy served in the Army in 1965 – 1966. While he was in the Army, Ginny passed away from spinal meningitis in 1966. During the time he served his country, Eric was cared for by his Grandmother, Nellie. When he was discharged from the Army, he joined the Navy to serve brother duty with his youngest brother, Robert. After his tour of duty in the Navy, he returned to Helena where he started work at the East Helena smelter.
In 1972, he met and married his second wife, Mary Jane. Together they had two sons, Bobby and Lee.
Leroy later met his third wife, Judy Haynes. They were married July 3, 1980 and he became a stepfather to Veronica (Ronnie) and Brenda Haynes.
They enjoyed camping with family and friends at Holter Lake. Leroy caught many fish while night fishing and loved to kneeboard and tube. He always had his grill so he could cook meals for the whole group. For many years Judy and Leroy would spend two weeks every summer camping and fishing with Dan and Twilla Steber along with family and sons, Bobby and Lee. Leroy’s mother, Nellie, also joined this trip one summer and she loved it.
Leroy also had a passion for racing and raced stock cars at one time. They never missed going to watch races in Belgrade on Friday nights when their nephews were racing.
Leroy was an avid bowler and joined many leagues over the years with life-long friends, Mick and Jane Liedle.
After Leroy retired from the smelter, he and Judy moved to Sidney, Montana where they bought a bowling alley. After the short time adventure of owning the bowling alley, he drove truck out of Fairview and later moved to Washington where he worked construction. They moved back to Montana a few years later.
One of Leroy’s final wishes was fulfilled when he traveled to Texas in August to spend time with Ronnie, his Texas grandchildren and visit Cabo San Lucas where he went deep sea fishing. His smile was so big when he landed his Tuna!
Leroy is preceded in death by his wife, Judy Much; parents, Edward and Nellie Much; stepdaughter, Brenda Lester and great niece, Emily Casey.
He is survived by his sons: Eric (Tami), Helena; Lee (Erin), Bozeman; Bobby, Manhattan; stepdaughter Ronnie (Scott) Chakales, San Antonio, Texas; brothers: Robert (Linda), Helena; Paul, Helena; sisters: Faylene (Jim) Nelson, Helena; Kathy Cook, East Helena; and Shelly Kaufman, East Helena; sister-in-law, Twilla (Dan) Steber, East Helena; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Special Friends, Helen and David Kitchen and family, Pinehurst, Idaho.
Lifelong and best friends, Mick and Jane Liedle, Helena.
Leroy’s Memorial Service will be held at Mountain Family Fellowship, 6145 N. Montana Avenue on October 23, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. with a light luncheon to follow. Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Harrison Veteran’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to God’s Love or organization of your choice.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 23, 2020
Mountain Family Fellowship
6145 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
2:00 p.m.
Friday October 23, 2020
Montana State Veterans Cemtery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Susan Bass Proul says
Kendra and the Much family….so very sorry to hear of Leroys (papas) passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. He was so full of life and love and truly loved everyone so unconditionally. I’m sure he was greeted at heavens gate by his beloved Judy..May he Rest In Peace
Jerry Lachenbruch says
Leroy was one if those people that could make you feel absolutely better if you were having a bad day in his most down to earth way. Funny, compassionate, and hilariously cantankerous all wrapped up in a hell of a guy. He is missed even though I have not seen him in years, he and his ways have indelibly marked my soul whether he knew or not
The Kitchen Family says
Such an amazing man. He brought so much joy to so many and will be truly missed. Condolences to the Much Family.
Phylis Shanahan says
Such a sweet man, he’s with Judy now, RIP
Michelle Anderson says
So sad to hear of Leroy’s passing. What a nice. Kind, but slightly mischievous man. Thoughts and prayers to his friends and family. Rest in peace. Michelle
Roy Moreno says
I have know LeRoy since 1974 when I started to work for ASARCO wielding on furnace in the Zinc Plant than in the in the Blast&Reberb Furnaces and many years in the same Bowling League my Condolances to Mama,Erik&Kathie now your up in Heaven with my dad trying to understand what he wa saying RIP my friend our sufferings over
Nickolette Lannan says
My uncle LeRoy sure had a tough exterior, but boy did he have a great big heart of gold. My mom always spoke very highly of him, her eldest big brother, and recently she shared many memories of summer trips and adventures she had the opportunity to take with him when she was young. Though LeRoy and I didn’t get the chance to spend much time together until he moved back to Montana, I’ll always treasure getting to know him over the past few years. He always went out of his way to check in with me during family get togethers and ask me how I’ve been and what I’ve been up to. I remember the year I got my thigh tattoo, the first time he saw it he squaked in jest at it, before popping the top buttons on his shirt to show me the eagle across his chest and giving me a hug. LeRoy was an outstanding caring man, and I’ll miss him terribly. His body fought long and hard, but I’m truly thankful he can finally have peace and be reunited with his lost loved ones.
Victoria & Cullen says
Good Night Sweet Prince. Your big smile and huge heart made a great impression on all of us for the rest of our years here on earth!
Kathy Lamb says
Leroy I’m so thankful our paths crossed again in Sept 2019. I’m glad we could talk about the past when we fish, hunt, camp, go to the horse races. You come to my softball games and we enjoyed our bowling team. I have so many good memories of those times together and it was fun talking and laughing about the good old days. I will always cherish that time together and I will cherish this last year for the phone calls and the times we saw each other. The best part is I shared about who stop me from marrying you and you told me that you would of told him off. So I know when you got to Heaven you hug my mom and her grand daughter and then you laid into the person who prevented us from being together. Way to go Leroy your the guy that would stick up for people you care about. Our paths will cross in Heaven. I wish we could of had some time at the lake this last summer but the Covid 19 and you moving away prevented us from making more memories. I’ll remember you as a good, fun loving caring man. The world needs more men like you. Thank you for treating me so well and we always had a special connections between us and that was a special friendship. Near or far the connection was there. You have always had a place in my heart and you still will. Love always Kathy
Derik Reed says
Leroy was probably the best neighbor I ever had. After he moved, I was always worried I would try to reach him and he would have passed. This time it happened to be true. Good man, gone too soon. Y’all are in my thoughts and prayers.