Leroy Henry Tomfohr

LeRoy Henry Tomfohr, age 92, of Redding, California, passed into glory on February 18, 2026. Born on May 26, 1933, in Hibbing, Minnesota to his parents Frank Jacob Tomfohr and Lila Mildren Kivi. Growing up in the family-owned German tavern with younger brothers Ronald Arthur and Roger Frank, the boys often joined their parents singing for the patrons. Lila a beautiful mezzo soprano singing the melody, and Frank singing harmony. LeRoy often sang in weddings and graduations. At an early age LeRoy also enjoyed fishing and hunting. One year before high school graduation, the family moved to Quartz Hill, California where they built their own home in the beautiful Mohave Desert. LeRoy graduated from Antelope Valley Junior College where he served as Vice President of the student body and a member of the Honor Society. LeRoy’s Dale Carnegie sharpened salesmanship skills took him from the pash men’s Fashion Tailors in Lancaster to McMahan’s Furniture. In 1955 LeRoy became their youngest store manager in Palmdale, one of over 90 McMahan’s stores. Later he opened a new store in Redding, California. Looking for more room to advance, LeRoy became a department manager for Montgomery Wards of Redding, and in 1972 he moved to their Anchorage, Alaska store until 1978.

Tall, charming LeRoy married his first wife of 22 years, a Girl’s State representative Dollie Ilene Allen of Lancaster, California on October 3, 1953. The couple had four beautiful children, two girls and two boys in the exact order Dollie predicted. Sharing his love of singing, Dollie would play the piano while LeRoy practiced the worship songs he had selected for Wednesday night worship. The couple often loaded up the sleepy kids in the family Volvo and sang show toons and hymns all the way to Lancaster never repeating a song. LeRoy’s beautiful tenor voice led the melody while Dollie sang the harmony. LeRoy also enjoyed Barber Shop Quartet, family fishing trips and campouts in beautiful Northern California. “You haven’t been fishing till you have baited four little kids’ hooks,” he said. Later while in Alaska, LeRoy famously shot an antler record making moose.

Sadly, after divorce, LeRoy returned to Redding, California in 1978. He earned his Real Estate License, and he was very active in the Redding Christian Singles Fellowship where he met and married his second wife of 5 years, Judith Ann Wall in 1981. After a few years in Medford, Oregon, returning to Redding the couple started the Der Tomfohr Haus Residential Care facility for the elderly. In addition to his administration duties at the residence, LeRoy also managed two Salvation Army Thrift stores, but it was Der Tomfohr Haus that inspired LeRoy to earn his C.N.A. license in 1985. Although the couple divorced, he continued to serve the elderly at the Crestwood Convalescent Hospital until 1992.

While pursuing his love of singing it was during a Christmas musical at Little Country Church, LeRoy met and married his third wife of tragically only 6 months, the sweetest Linda Lee English

on December 2, 1989. LeRoy said, “We were the poorest, but the richest in love.” Although they both knew, Linda’s heart condition would mean only a few months of matrimonial bless, LeRoy said, “She mended my broken heart.”

If crooning woos a woman’s heart, and a good cook catches the man; LeRoy finally found in every way his forever match when he met Julia Custer King a tiny but formidable Texan in the choir of Neighborhood Church now known as Pathway of Redding. Unbeknownst to them, their two granddaughters were plotting how to get them together, but God had a plan all along. Married on February 15, 1992, the couple shared 30 years together until Julia passed into glory on December 28, 2021, from Alzheimer’s disease. During those years in Julia’s beautiful spacious home, the couple hosted numerous Alliance missionaries, two Bible study groups one of which LeRoy taught, his second love next to singing, Bible study. The couple also enjoyed international travel to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and LeRoy’s daughter in Japan. They also enjoyed seeing family/friends in Minnesota, Colorado, Alaska, and Texas. After finishing her beautifully designed home and seeing her five grown accomplished daughters, Julia said, “God answered my prayers when He brought LeRoy into my life.” LeRoy said, “God gave me a wanderlust angel that completes me.”

Their “love affair” as LeRoy called it continued even after Julia entered Willow Springs for her last five years. Every day LeRoy went to feed and dress her always singing their favorite songs together until she couldn’t, but her face was always beaming. Even during COVID, even after cataract surgery kept him from driving, LeRoy would stand outside her window and sing to his bride, his wanderlust angel from God, “I love you a bushel and a peck.”

LeRoy remained a faithful member at Pathway Church for almost 35 years. A life learner, LeRoy found a perfect fit in Don Claspill’s Koinonia Sunday School class. He always said, “You’ll never find a better historian, a faithful bible teacher-pastor, and devoted prayer warrior with an unbelievable memory.” LeRoy was blessed by many longtime Koinonia friends. He said, “I have struggled with depression my whole life and a besetting sin that keeps challenging my victory, but now I understand the grace of God, and the power of being seen through grace filled eyes.”

You could always find LeRoy reading his bible almost every day, buying and giving books away, always singing before his quiet time, along with an old movie, and in the shower until a fall in the tub sent him to Copper Ridge Care Center for his last longest year. All he could talk about was how he longed for heaven and counting the days praying for the rapture. Of course he was also retraining, correcting and yes occasionally cussing the CNAs, but in the next moment LeRoy would be singing to them or his visitors as they left. “I love you with the love of the Lord. Oh yes, I love you with the love of the Lord. I can see in you the glory of my King. Oh yes, I love you with the love of the Lord.”

If you knew LeRoy long, he would tell you about the day he was baptized in 1962 at the Church of Christ in Redding. Crying like a baby, walking down what seemed like the longest aisle, finally publicly confessing his faith, and being fully emersed in the waters. He said, “I felt so heavy walking down those steps. I thought they would break, but when I came up out of the water my heart and soul were so light and filled with hope. I flew up out of the water. Although I had been sprinkled as a child, why did I let my pride procrastinate this beautiful freeing feeling of obedience to identify with my Lord.” LeRoy would tell how the Lord had changed his heart. Before he would sit in church and grumble about the off-key singers and the people, he knew who hadn’t paid their bill. Now it seemed God filled his heart with unbelievable love for them. He said, “God did a Romans 5:5 miracle for me.” “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Finishing his walk at Pathway Church, on those victorious days LeRoy would echo the words the congregation says to end all the services, “We have a great God!” LeRoy is now with Him!

LeRoy is survived by his four children: Glenda Jacobs of Redding, Karen Fitzgerald of West Sacramento, Bryan of Palo Cedro, and Kevin of Roseburg, Oregon. Also, four of Julia’s daughters: Cheryle Custer of San Jose, Melinda Rosinski of Liano, Texas, Patricia Winchell of Redding, and Rebecca Winton of Oroville. He is preceded in death by his first wife Dollie Ilene Popoff, his second wife Judith Ann Childers, his third wife Linda Lee Tomfohr, his last wife of 30 years Julia King Tomfohr, and one of her daughters Cindy Holman of Pearland, Texas.

A Graveside Service is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Redding Memorial Park 1201 Continental Street, Redding, California officiated by Don Claspill for close friends and family to celebrate LeRoy’s life. The family would like to thank Copper Ridge Care Center for their patience and gentle care. Flowers and donations can be sent to Gatehouse Ministries care of Simpson University, Redding, California. Professional services conducted by McDonald’s Chapel.