Leroy Walker Herrmann, 89

Leroy Walker Herrmann, 89, passed away peacefully in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, just seven days shy of his 90th birthday.

A private memorial will be held.

Leroy was born on July 23, 1918 in Wichita, Kan., to Joseph and Phoebe Herrmann.

As a boy, he spent many hours in the fields hunting squirrels and rabbits and had many unusual animals as pets. Leroy attended Wichita High School North, where he was actively involved in the football, wrestling and swimming teams.

Leroy graduated on May 25, 1937, and joined the Kansas National Guard, where he attained the rank of corporal, Troop E, 114th Cavalry.

He was later transferred to Battery C, 127th Field Artillery (155 Howitzer), where Leroy gained the rank of sergeant and was known for his excellent marksmanship.

As the country went to war, Leroy was asked to serve his country and willingly did so in the United States Army, where he became staff sergeant in Company A, 377 Port Battalion, stationed in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, and was entrusted with overseeing the loading of anti-aircraft ordinance manufactured in Washington state and bound for the Aleutian Islands.

He was also ordered to “stand watch and protect against enemy submarines” that might find their way into the waters off the island there.

On a trip home to Kansas accompanying the body of a fallen comrade, Leroy made a quick trip to his parent's home where he saw “the prettiest girl alive sitting on his front porch” visiting with his sisters. Apparently she already had her eye on him for quite some time.

It wasn't long before he asked that pretty girl, Marcella Bailie, who spent her summers visiting her aunt in Wichita to be his bride. They were married on March 20, 1944 at her parent's home in Albuquerque, N.M.

Over the next several years they had six children, three sons and three daughters, and the Herrmann household always seemed to be the place where all the neighborhood kids gathered.

After the war, Leroy returned to Kansas and soon moved with his family to southern California where he plied his trade as a carpenter, at first for the movie industry and later in commercial construction.

During this time he also built homes for several film stars of the day who liked his eye for quality on the sets.

After leaving California in the mid-1960s intending to make his home in Sandpoint, Leroy, along with his sons, operated a family construction business.

Nearly 10 years later, Leroy finally did make it to Idaho “by way of Washington, Missouri and New Mexico” on July 3, 1974, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life.

Leroy lost his beloved wife of nearly 60 years in 2003 and missed her greatly. He was an honest, hard-working man who loved his God, his family, and his country.

Around the country are many structural testimonies to his craftsmanship and skill.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marcella; two daughters, Marsha Lee and an infant; and two grandchildren, Nathaniel and Sara.

He is survived by his remaining four children, son Charles Herrmann of Sagle, Idaho; daughter Patricia Age of Ashville, N.C.; son and daughter-in-law, James and Judy Herrmann of Sagle; and Tim Herrmann of Sagle.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren; Marca, James Jr., Heidi, Andrew, Jesse, Justin, Cynthia, and Walker; and two great-grandchildren, Gracie and Kaden.

Our Daddy and Grandpa had a long, great life and although he will be missed immensely by his family and friends, his memory lives on in their hearts.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

Please visit Leroy's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.