Leroy Boortz

Leroy Boortz, a man whose life echoed with the rhythm of love and resilience, left his earthly home on January 31, 2025, cradled by the warmth of family and friends. With his final breath, he stepped into heaven’s dancehall, where his beloved wife, JoAnn, greeted him under the glow of a neon moon. They danced as angels sang “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” There, they were joined by his parents, six brothers, and one sister, their laughter harmonizing with the twang of a steel guitar only hearts can hear. He was a proud Marine turned master homebuilder, yet his most faithful legacy lived in the love he poured into his family.

To his three daughters, Jeania Harmon, Tricia Barr, and Sherry Ledbetter, he was a steadfast compass, teaching them to face storms with grit and to dance through life’s trials with humor. In the end, they were the anchor in his storm. Leroy's son-in-laws Dell Harmon, Bobby Barr, and Darrell Ledbetter also survived. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Leroy was our anchor, the place we always called home, no matter how far we roamed. He would remind us to love our family; they are permanent and enjoy every sunrise.

Though our hearts ache, we find solace knowing Leroy now sways with JoAnn in a dance that never ends, his Marine-straight posture softened by her elegant beauty. Here on Earth, his coffee cup sits waiting, his tools rust in the shed, and his stories linger in every creak of the home he built. Death is not the end, and as Leroy would always say, “ It is just a step for a stepper.”

We will celebrate his life at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel, 7301 E. Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 6-8 p.m., with a Funeral Service on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 2pm.