LeRoy Anthony Avila

In 1958 he married the love of his life, Barbara Kay Maxwell. They had three children, daughter Sandra, then sons LeRoy, Allen and Joaquin.

It’s no secret that LeRoy was enormously proud of his Portuguese heritage and the fact that he was a fourth generation farmer.

LeRoy, at the young age of fourteen, mourned the unexpected loss of his father. He found himself working alongside his mother Lydia, grandfather John C. Avila, and five brothers: John, Bill, Clarence, Anthony, and David. Grandmother, Mary S. Perry, lovingly assisted in raising the brothers.

LeRoy partnered with his mother and three brothers, John, Bill, and Clarence, creating “Lydia Avila & Sons.” The three brothers John, LeRoy and Clarence eventually went out on their own establishing “Avila Brothers JLC”. JLC was quite a team, working night and day, building a successful farming operation. As time went on, they made the decision that each partner would once a year take turns on going on a two-week family vacation. Vacations were spent at Voo’s, (John C. Avila) retirement residence in Pismo Beach, California. That is where life skills in clam digging, fishing, and Portuguese cooking were learned. JLC eventually went their separate ways as each of their families grew and were ready to expand on their own.

LeRoy learned farming from the ground up. He was well-known for being inventive, modernized, and a bit of a perfectionist. It wasn’t uncommon for him to get a call or visit from his peers and young aspiring farmers seeking his knowledge. His ranch was “weed-free.” Even at the age of 80, he would go out with a sharpened shovel in hand to rid any weed spied.

LeRoy made long lasting friendships wherever he went. He enjoyed lengthy conversations with the people he would meet. He befriended other patients, hospital staff, hotel, and restaurant staff during his appointments and procedures in Hanford, Visalia, Fresno, Santa Barbara, Irvine, UCLA, Cedar Sinai, Stanford, and UCSF.

He gave cancer a good fight. LeRoy wasted no time, even towards the last few months of his life, managing his farming business by cell phone from his bed.

LeRoy was full of stories from a lifetime of experiences, which he enjoyed sharing with his family and friends.

LeRoy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara. He is also survived by his children Sandra Avila Vargas (husband Mark), Leroy Allen Avila (wife Jenecris), and Joaquin Avila (wife Angela). LeRoy is also survived by his grandchildren Joshua Vargas (wife Kaitlyn), Seth Vargas, Devyn Avila, Colin Avila, Gavin Avila, Skyler Avila, Savannah Avila, and Leeah Avila, as well as great granddaughters Khloe and Ella Vargas.

LeRoy was a devout Catholic. He was a local parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima, Saint Brigid’s, and Immaculate Heart of Mary. The evening before passing, pointing upward, in a clear voice with a smile on his face, LeRoy said, “I’ve never been this happy”, “I’ve never been this happy”, “Peace”. He peacefully passed away in his sleep on Sunday, March 29, 2020 at home with his family by his side. We truly know in our hearts that LeRoy, husband, father, Voo and friend, is happier than ever and at peace in Heaven with our Savior, Jesus Christ.