Leroy Francis Mayo

LeRoy was born in Delia, Kansas on April 25, 1925. He was the sixth of 6 children born to Charles and Eva Mayo. Eva died when LeRoy was only 6 weeks old, and he was raised by Eva’s twin sister Effie Cowger until he was 12 when Effie died.

In December 1942, Betty Bickford was a teacher in a small country school near Soldier, Kansas and needed a Santa Clause for a Christmas program. LeRoy was volunteered by his cousin Lorraine Wykert – Richter. Betty and LeRoy were married shortly thereafter on February 20, 1943 and have been married for 68 years.

LeRoy worked on a ranch in Kansas until moving to Idaho in early summer of 1945. He worked on a farm on the Salmon Tract for about one year, then moved to Hollister where he worked on another farm which included driving a sheep truck. In 1950, LeRoy worked for the Union Pacific railroad for one year, before starting work at the Amalgamated Sugar Company in Twin Falls in 1951 and retired as a foreman after 35 years in 1986. During the first 18 years of working at the Sugar Company, LeRoy spent the summer months working for the Salmon River Canal Company and the Twin Falls Canal Company. After retiring, LeRoy and Betty traveled extensively in their motor home (camping and fishing), and participated in bus tours sponsored by local travel companies.

LeRoy was an avid rock collector and fisherman. He polished rocks and made belts and bolo ties with the rocks for friends and relatives. His fishing ranged from trout in the Salmon Reservoir to Steelhead in the Clearwater River.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents and Aunt Effie; his five sisters – Vera, Zelma, Geneva, Christina and Lenora. He is survived by his wife Betty and numerous nieces and nephews.

A viewing for LeRoy will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at the White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park”, 136 4th Ave. East, Twin Falls. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at the White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park”. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Twin Falls. Memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society. To share a memory of LeRoy or to offer condolences to LeRoy’s family please visit www.whitemortuary.com