LeRoy Clifford Myrben

LeRoy Myrben was born in the small town of Ashland, WI in 1936 and passed away on August 14, 2024 in Denton, TX. Lee lived with his wife, Billie, for 19 years in Frisco, TX before she passed last August, 2023.

Lee’s early years were spent in Minnesota where they lived in Hibbing and Duluth. The family moved to Aurora, CO where he graduated from Aurora High School and met his high school sweetheart, Billie Alice.

When living in Duluth, he delivered the morning paper before going to school and on Sundays, sold the Sunday paper on the corner. He also worked at the family’s store with a built-in soda fountain and ice cream bar. He learned a lot from his father about running a business working at their general store and especially enjoyed servicing customers at the soda fountain.

After graduating High School, he joined the Navy where he studied aircraft maintenance and systems. He then went to his fleet where his first tour of duty was an attack squadron on the carrier USS Wasp.

A year into his service, he went back to Aurora and married Billie Alice, on November 30, 1956. After his training, his remaining time in the Navy was spent in the San Diego area where he and Billie, son Robert and two daughters, Barbara and Nancy, made their home. He spent much of his time away from his family on six Far East tours overseas; three of them on the USS Midway and two on the USS Ranger. Lee retired as a senior chief and was selected to be a master chief if he had continued in the Navy.

After serving his country close to 22 years, he retired in 1977. Lee liked to stay active and involved. He utilized his experience and training to support the Military Services by engaging in government and civilian programs until retiring again in 2003. It was then that he and Billie, moved to Frisco, TX where he became involved with the veterans and served as VFW Post Commander from 2007 to 2011. In 2008, Frisco Mayor Maher Maso set up a Mayors Committee to address veterans’ concerns and asked Lee to establish a team which became the Frisco Veterans Advisory Committee to provide support and advice on matters concerning veterans.

He brought much awareness to the City of Frisco about veterans by supporting the Memorial Day program with the Frisco Garden Club. Lee also pushed for improvements to the Veterans Memorial by adding a Veterans Walk of Honor.

Lee’s approach to dealing with issues was very direct while giving generously of his time and expertise. He’s known by his family to always jump in and help with working through life’s problems and situations. Always wanting the best for his family. Another obvious trait was being punctual to military standards, he liked to hold people accountable to showing up on time.

He wasn’t all work and no play; Lee liked to play golf and work with his hands on projects around the house and restoring old cars. He also enjoyed being involved in gatherings with folks who shared his interests; for example, regularly attending the appropriately named Frisco Morning Maniacs car club.

Lee is survived by his son, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all.