Leroy was born in Oakland, California, but found his forever home in Alaska. A man of many talents, he was a bartender, butcher, commercial fisherman, contractor and entrepreneur. He first arrived in Alaska in the early ‘80s, after living in Oregon. LeRoy immediately fell in love with the lifestyle and the people, making Cordova his permanent home.
LeRoy is remembered by his nieces as “being a very handsome, redheaded playboy who always had a good-looking woman on his arm, a joke to share and a story tell. He was always there for us with an ear to listen, a smile, and a prayer. LeRoy loved the Lord, and we know Heaven got another Angel”.
LeRoy is survived by his loving nieces, Suzanne Irons and Amanda Martin Carins of California, Tina Barrera of Reno, Nevada, Peggy Giles of Anchorage, as well as and many more nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will also be greatly missed by his adopted family in Cordova, Sarah Tiedeman and family, Greg Meyer and family, and many others.
He was preceded in death by his parents Theodore Gilkison and Thelma Thayer Gilkison, and his four sisters Elva Gilkison Gacer, Tedra Ann Gilkison Zissimos, Clarice Shepperd Donohue, Alberta Bea Shepperd Giles, and his beloved nephews Edward Duffy Martin, Jefferson Martin, Thad Giles, and John Cole.
A celebration of life is being planned in Cordova on June 26.
