Born in Goodman, Mississippi on January 22, 1951, Leroy was the son of Leroy and Maggie Latiker. He graduated from Long Creek High School in Sallis, Mississippi.
Leroy moved to Chicago, Illinois officially in 1971 and started working for Intercraft. He accepted a promotion in 1985 that led him to work in Taylor, Texas. He took up permanent residency in Austin, Texas at that time. Intercraft closed its doors in 2004, and Leroy accepted a position as the manufacturing shipping manager at Manitex in Georgetown, Texas the following year. He worked there until he retired in 2016. A former employer was quoted as saying, “Leroy never said no when it came to work.” He enjoyed both positions, but most importantly the employees he would meet that later became family to him.
Leroy accepted Christ at a young age and continued to walk in his Christian faith throughout his life. Every morning you could find him reading his Bible. He was an avid race car fan and loved Longhorn football. He enjoyed spending his time helping others and attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events. He developed a love for traveling later in life. Leroy was a humble and genuine man.
Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Maggie; and by his brother, Willie. He leaves to cherish his memory, two daughters, LaWanda and Laneita, both of Pflugerville, Texas; four sons, Jermaine of Harvey, Illinois, Lemarkus of Aliceville, Alabama, Leonard of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Leroy III (Kelly) of Dallas, Texas; along with fifteen grandchildren; six sisters, Maggie (Earnest), Rosia (Sammy) of Chicago, Illinois, Bobbie and Lavon of Durant, Mississippi, Ruth (Felix) and Josie (Marshall) of Sallis, Mississippi; three brothers, James (Leslie) of Durant, Mississippi, Charles (Leslie) of Chicago, Illinois and Martin of Sallis, Mississippi; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation in Texas will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Tuesday, January, 22, 2019 at the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral home in Pflugerville, Texas.
Funeral services are planned for 11:00 am, Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Durant Baptist Church in Durant, MS under the care of Winters Funeral Home in Kosiusko, Mississippi. Committal will follow at Roby Cemetery in Goodman, Mississippi.
