Leroy was born February 14, 1929, in Wilton, ME to Arden W. Rand and Minnie E. Flanders (Rand). He was raised on a farm, which he always spoke so fondly of, the youngest of his brothers Elwin and David. Leroy enjoyed working on the farm and helping his mother in the garden. He also worked at his uncle’s apple orchard as a boy which is where his love of apple pie was born. Leroy graduated New Gloucester High School in Maine in 1946 as co-valedictorian. After high school he attended the University of Maine in which he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and the ROTC joining the riffle team. He was awarded numerous accommodations by the athletic association during his tenure with the ROTC riffle team. His service in the ROTC will later play a vital role to his service in the army. Leroy graduated from the University of Maine in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. After the war, Leroy attended North Carolina State University receiving a second Bachelor of Science degree in Wood Technology in 1954, then his Master of Wood Technology in 1955; graduating with high honors.
Leroy enlisted in the army in 1950 and was appointed Second Lieutenant of Infantry upon active duty because of his role in ROTC. In March of 1951 he completed a leadership training course for the 101st Airborne Infantry Division and was then appointed First Lieutenant of Infantry. Leroy was deployed to serve in the Korean War in 1951 in which he received the following acknowledgement:
“First Lieutenant Leroy F. Rand…., served meritoriously as heavy weapons platoon leader for a rifle company, Company “L”, 35th Infantry, during a period of hazardous and changing combat conditions between 15 September 1951 to June 1952. Lt Rand demonstrated a wide and comprehensive knowledge of heavy weapons, their employment and care. Combined with his superior leadership qualities, Lt Rand often led patrols beyond the main line of resistance, gathering vital information…. Lt Rand’s courageous spirit, determined and resourceful leadership combined with his unremitting devotion to duty earned for him the praise and respect of all those with whom he came in contact with and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.”
Leroy was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his achievement in ground operations against the enemy during the war. Leroy returned to the United States where he remained in the reserves until 1955 when he was Honorably Discharged.
Leroy would later move to Palatka, FL taking a job with Florida Furniture making and distributing furniture. He became supervisor of the factory given his proven leadership skills from the military. Leroy later had an opportunity to become part-owner of a local fishing company; this is when he met and married his wife, Barbara. Leroy and Barbara relocated their family to Webster, NY where he started working, in what would be his long-time career, as a kitchen installer. Leroy and Barbara eventually moved and settled in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1979 with their four children. Leroy was a devoted father, friend, and an active member in the church. Family was very important to Leroy, and any opportunity he had he would travel home to Maine to visit with the extended family. He was a humble, kind, and selfless man, there to help anyone in need and someone you could count on. He had an indelible work ethic that he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He loved to teach anyone willing to learn about making furniture or installing kitchens. He served for many years as a deacon in his church and sang in the choir. He even traveled on a mission’s trip in his 70’s to Siberia, Russia to spread the love of Jesus. It was during his tenure at Christ Church in Coconut Creek, FL where he met John and Donna Brown, to which they became fast friends. Leroy thought of the Browns as his family, watching their children grow into adulthood, and being proud of all their many accomplishments. Leroy was a jokester, never wanting to take life too seriously, even in the end he made jokes to keep spirits up. He was also a very stubborn man, but his daughter Crystal knew his soft spot; Crystal was, and always will be, her daddy’s little girl. Leroy installed kitchens until his late 70’s when he retired from the industry, then he took a job delivering lunches for a local restaurant until he finally retired at 90, always wearing a smile. Leroy always kept his love of wood, and building furniture, close at hand. He built many pieces over the years that will be cherished by those he blessed with his work.
In the last year of his life, Leroy lived with his daughter Crystal and her children in Royal Palm Beach, FL which truly made him happy. He defied the odds of the doctor’s and managed to live long after they gave up on him; that was his stubbornness. Crystal and Myah, his granddaughter, were his primary caregivers as his health eventually began to decline. He loved Myah, and was so proud of her, she had become his favorite girl. Myah and her grandpa even got to a chance to sing a duet of Amazing Grace. In some of his last conversations he said he was the luckiest man in the world to be cared for so well and to eat like a king. Leroy’s love of food was almost as great as his love for his family. He will forever live in the hearts and memories of all that loved him. He will be dearly missed.
Leroy is survived by his wife Barbara C. Rand, son Travis L. Campbell, and daughters Tammy S. Goss, Dionne N. Goss, and Crystal Rand. Leroy was blessed with eight grandchildren: Terrell, Darcel, Ashley, Brittany, Kendric, Darrian, Kris, and Myah, and eight great-grandchildren.
In honor of Leroy’s memory, the family will be planting trees in a National Park in his name. The family will hold a celebration of life on March 19, 2022, between 12:00pm and 5:00pm in the home he shared with his daughter Crystal at 443 Belle Grove Lane, Royal Palm Beach, FL.
Leroy’s final resting place will be at the Rand family plot with his parents and brothers at the Lower Gloucester Cemetery in New Gloucester, ME held in August 2022. For more information on how to honor Leroy’s legacy, or any of the memorial services, you may contact his daughter Crystal.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18