Leo Trego

Leo was born in Arma, Kansas. He grew up in Nevada, Missouri, (pronounced Nee-vay-da) not like our state. He grew up on a farm there with his mother, father, older brother, and twin brother Lee Trego. He spent most of his days working on the family farm. He attended Nevada High School in Missouri and graduated in 1945.

In 1946, Leo joined the Air Force, and went on to serve 22 plus years. Leo's father and two brothers also served in the military. He was ranked Chief Master Sergeant in communications, received numerous awards and accommodations, and was stationed at Wheeler AFB, Hawaii, and Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, New Mexico, amongst others.

Leo found his soul mate and partner for life when he married Kathrine Trego in Las Vegas.

Leo moved to Las Vegas when he retired from the military in 1970. He became a bartender and worked at a few Casinos on the strip for 30+ years...with his longest stint at Circus Circus. Mary Poya was his favorite co¬worker, and they have remained great friends to this day.

Leo loved to go bowling...a friend named Mike taught him how, and he was on as many as 5-6 leagues a week after retirement. It was there that he met Joanie Rippengale, and her husband Larry. Joanie and Leo have remained great friends to this day! Leo was a great lover of food and wine! I met Leo while I was working in a local Steakhouse about 14 years ago. We became very good friends and he joined a bowling league with my husband and me.

Some of his favorite sayings were…"Every day is a holiday and every night is a party!" At a restaurant to the server he would say, "Can you mail this check to my mother." He was a bartender so he had quite the sense of humor. He liked to go to the Gold Coast Casino and play slots. For the past six years, I would take him every single day for an hour, until the last two months. It was his home away from home, and so many loved him there.

His wife Kathrine, his daughter, and his twin brother Lee preceded Leo in death.

Leo was so kind and generous, one of a kind, old school, code of the west kind of guy, treated others as they treat you.

I was able to take care of him at home in hospice, and rehab for the last two months of his life. This meant the world to both of us. Leo was like a dad to me. He loved life, and living it. Every night before going to bed, he would say..."Tomorrow is a brand-new day!" I called him every day, and we would chat about anything and everything. It was truly a match made in heaven we both felt it. We knew we were put together for a reason, and I would be the one to take care of him for the rest of his life. We loved him and he loved us. He was my best friend, we were with him when he took his final breath, and he knew how much we loved him. I know he will always be with me, he is my guardian angel, and I will never forget him. He will live on in my heart forever!