Leroy Tolbert

Anyone who knew LeRoy Tolbert will tell you that he was very easy going, had an aura that would light up the room, with a bright smile to match and that he lived life to the fullest. His light first shined on February 6, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the eldest son of Willie and Susie Kate (Smith) Tolbert and had 12 other siblings. He attended Liberty Baptist Church of Chicago (Liberty) along with his parents, who served as faithful members of the deacon and deaconess boards, respectively, until they went home to glory. LeRoy accepted Christ at an early age and actively participated in Liberty’s youth ministries. His proudest contribution came as a member of the group “The Liberators”, a group of 6 young men who sang gospel songs in harmony. LeRoy cherished these fond memories and would light up like a Christmas tree as he shared stories about The Liberators with his family and friends for the rest of his life.

Underneath his easy-going persona, LeRoy had an inner strength and resolve that many people only dream about. After graduating from Wendell Phillips High School, LeRoy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August 1950. He was deployed and served in the Korean War, “Operation Enemy Forces Korea” from August 1951 until July 1952. In January 1952, LeRoy applied for and was accepted into the 1st Marine Division, nicknamed "The Old Breed". The division is employed as the ground combat element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and provides task-organized forces for assault operations and other operations as directed. It provides ground amphibious forcible entry capability to the naval expeditionary force and other land operations as needed.

LeRoy was honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps on August 13, 1954, achieving the rank of Sergeant in March, 1952. During his military career, LeRoy received decorations and medals which included: Korean Service – 2 Stars, United Nations Service, National Defense Service, Good Conduct, and the Korean War Presidential Unit Citation.

After returning to the United States, LeRoy married Zena Mae Hill in February 1953. He became a devoted father to their 3 children, Michael, Steven, and Lori. LeRoy enrolled in Chicago Teachers College (now Chicago State University) where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Education degree. He went on teach, attaining the rank of Assistant Principal of Farragut High School. In addition to teaching and administration, LeRoy served as manager at a drug store and prepared taxes during filing season.

In 1973, LeRoy moved to San Francisco, CA and became an insurance broker with Banker’s Life Insurance. However, being a lifelong learner and educator, he was drawn back into the classroom. LeRoy obtained a lifetime teaching credential and began teaching Accounting and English at one of San Francisco’s Adult Education schools. For the remainder of his professional career and after retirement, LeRoy maintained single subject and designated subjects credentials, along with a lifetime preliminary administrative services credential which allowed him to teach and serve as principal. In 1996, LeRoy retired as Principal of Baden High School in South San Francisco Unified School District. Less than one month after retiring, he was called back to work as a consultant, which would lead him to tell people, “I’m having so much fun, I feel like I am stealing money.”

In November 2006, LeRoy married Reber Gould, after they had exchanged the bright lights of San Francisco for Chowchilla, CA in 2004. They made Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Atwater their church home.

For many years, they hosted Thanksgiving dinner in Chowchilla for their children and grandchildren. There was so much food and dessert that they insisted people not try to drive back the same day but stay overnight. They opened their home and even rented and paid for hotel rooms for family.

LeRoy was a man of purpose. He had a big appetite and loved good food. LeRoy and Reber loved to travel and did so extensively throughout United States, Mexico, and Europe - France and Italy, especially. LeRoy also loved his whole family and extended family and visited with them and their families wherever they were located. In addition to making numerous trips back to Chicago, he traveled to Connecticut, New Jersey, San Diego, and Los Angeles to see his children, grandchildren, and a great granddaughter.

In particular, for Memorial Day 2023, at the ripe old age of 92, LeRoy took a train from Merced, California to Chicago, Illinois to attend his granddaughter’s baby shower and his daughter’s 60th birthday party. Upon returning to Merced (by train), he said, “I am going to try to fly back to Chicago to see my great granddaughter when she is born.” Sure enough he did it. Two months later in July, 2023 he flew back to Chicago to great and hold his great granddaughter in his arms!

LeRoy had a great sense of humor. Upon greeting someone, whenever he was asked how he was doing his reply was always the same, “For an old man, I’ll get by.” If things were going exceptionally well for him, he would say, “I feel like going bear hunting with a switchblade!”

On February 4, 2024, LeRoy went home to be with the Lord. As an ode to his favorite sports team of all time, the San Francisco 49ers, “He left it all on the field.”

He is survived by his wife, Reber; his children and stepchildren, Michael (Lovely), Steven, (Jennifer), Lori, Valerie (Floyd), Vicki (Wayne-deceased), Otto, and Danita (Jeffery); Siblings Delphyne (Robert-deceased), Joyce (Lenzie-deceased) and Darryl; Sister-in-Law and friend, Polly; grandchildren, Racquel (Richard), Steven, II (Rheilly), Michael, Nicole (Nick), Jonathan, Katie, David and Daniel; a great granddaughter; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnephews, cousins and many other relatives.

Preceding him in glory are: His parents, Wille and Susie; Siblings Elmer (wife, Frances), Bennie, Louise (husband, Leon-deceased), Charles, Georgette, William (wife, Inez-deceased), Leonard, Christine (husband, Floyd-deceased) and Clem

Words of Appreciation

To God our Father, thank you for giving us almost 93 years of unconditional love and a bright light from our husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend. To our friends and loved ones, please accept our sincere appreciation for your outpouring of love and support during the past several months. It means more than you know. Thank you to the Hampshire House for providing LeRoy with community. Thank you to Franciscan Post-Acute Care Center nurses, physical therapists, and staff for continuing to provide LeRoy with hope for tomorrow. To all the doctors and medical staff that worked with LeRoy during his final journey, thank you for your care and diligence. To Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, thank you for holding our hand. Finally, Pastor Phil and Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church Team, the memories of your generosity will remain in our hearts forever.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV