Lt. Col. Michael David LeRoy, USAF (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Michael D. LeRoy, USAF (Ret.) age 83, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025. He died peacefully in his sleep after a lengthy illness with congestive heart failure and renal disease. His passing was just the way he wanted it — quietly, in his sleep, and cared for by the family who loved him.

Mike, as he is known to friends and family, was born November 27, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio. He is preceded in death by his son and namesake, Michael D. LeRoy Jr. (2007); his mother, Alice Ousky (1995); and his father, Milton LeRoy (1970). He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Rosemarie “Rosie” LeRoy of Tallahassee, FL; his children, Michelle Yaddaw (Keith) of Canadensis, PA, Jennifer Tillis (Dan) of Boise, ID, and Steve and Scott LeRoy of Tallahassee, FL; his granddaughters, Megan and Katherine “Katie” Harrison of Tallahassee, FL; and his favorite pups, Rico, Lucy and Rush.

While Mike had many accomplishments, the one he was most proud of was his marriage to Rosie, his wife and partner for more than six decades. They met while he was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany as a young airman first class. One weekend, he and a friend were swimming in the Rhine River when he spotted Rosie and her friend on the shore. Mike, who was learning German at the time, tried to impress her with one of the few phrases he had mastered: Einfahrt, Ausfahrt, Fahrt. It must have worked.

After marrying in both a civil and church service, the newlyweds moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where Mike, then a staff sergeant, was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology at Arizona State University. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, became a commissioned officer, and went on to earn a Master of Science in Civil Engineering.

As their family grew and Mike’s military career advanced, so did their travel log and the places they lived. Michelle was born in Arizona, followed by Jennifer in Nebraska. After moving back to Arizona, they adopted their first son, Michael. The family then moved to England, where Mike soaked up the rich history, planned countless trips to visit historical sites, and embraced the challenge of driving on the “wrong” side of the road. The next move brought a bit of a cultural shift, as they traded Earl Grey for sweet tea during a short stint in Alabama followed by a longer (and colder) stay in Illinois. From there, they headed across the Pacific Ocean to South Korea, where Mike and Rosie added to the family by adopting their sons, Steve and Scott. As the boys got used to the chaos of a large family living in tight military quarters (and sisters who settled their disagreements with vigor), the family moved to Germany. Five years later, Mike retired from the Air Force after proudly serving for 28 years. With their daughters grown and living on their own, Mike and Rosie brought the boys to Tallahassee, where they have lived ever since.

With a Bachelor of Arts in German, Mike remained fluent in the language by practicing it almost daily through conversations with Rosie, German books and movies, and listening (more than once) to the German-version of the Harry Potter audiobook series.

Mike was a voracious reader. His books were filled with margin notes, underlined vocabulary, and index cards listing characters or key plot points tucked between the pages. History was one of his favorite subject, and he could talk about it with insight and detail. He was a lifelong learner who believed education was the most valuable thing a person could have. He was especially proud to have lived long enough to see both of his granddaughters, Megan and Katie, graduate from Florida State University in May.

Mike also came to share Rosie’s love of animals, whether he meant to or not. Over the years, their home was filled with dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, turtles, and fish. He helped Rosie with dog training and dog shows, even building obedience jumps and ramps in their backyard. While he loved the Chihuahuas and Papillons that came through their home, his favorite breed was the Border Collie, of which they had several over the years.

Mike will be remembered for many things. He was a provider, a planner, and an organizer. When he learned his illness was terminal, he made sure Rosie would be taken care of, even leaving behind a detailed checklist of what to do after his passing (including canceling his subscriptions to The New York Times and The Washington Post).

He was a wonderful cook who enjoyed preparing Korean and German dishes to share with his family. He held strong political opinions and regularly sent thoughtful (and sometimes heated) news articles to family members via email and text. While not everyone always agreed with the content, his family (including his former son-in-law, Ron Harrison) will miss seeing the daily articles, reflections and thoughtful notes show up in their inboxes.

He was an avid stamp collector, model car enthusiast and a talented writer. He earned a reputation as the "King of the Poison Pen Letter” as his carefully crafted responses to companies who had wronged him were masterpieces of tone and structure. He also spent years dabbling in photography, leaving the family with a priceless collection of travel and family photos.

Mike loved being a husband and father and always put his family’s needs ahead of his own. He taught his children how to love well, work hard, and save wisely. He was a family man who preferred to be in the company of those he loved most. He was happiest at home, and he made it a home worth growing up in.

He will be missed immensely by his family and never forgotten.