Leroy John McFadden, 86

Leroy John McFadden, 86, passed away at his home in Columbia Falls on Dec. 21, 2015.

Leroy was born Nov. 19, 1929, to Leroy McFadden and Rose O’Connor in Janesville, Wisconsin. The family moved to Clinton, Montana, and then to Columbia Falls.

He met the love of his life in 1946, after borrowing a shovel from his future father-in-law. Dad entered the Navy in 1948 and married Luella Mae Flint in 1949. He exited the Navy in 1950 and moved back to Columbia Falls, where they lived until their deaths.

Dad worked for Stoltze Lumber and the Forest Service until he started at the Anaconda Aluminum Company; he retired in 1985. After his retirement he worked for his oldest son brushing roads, then he worked as a marshall at Whitefish Golf Course for 10 years.

His biggest passion was playing Santa Clause for little kids. He was a member of the Whitefish Moose Lodge, and loved to hunt and fish, as well as camp.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years; one sister, Mary; and two brothers, Richard and James.

 He is survived by his three children, Roger and Kathy, Janet, and Leroy and Mitzi; four grandsons, one granddaughter, two stepgranddaughters, several grand and stepgrandchildren; one brother, Jack; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at North Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church, 269 First Ave. E., Columbia Falls.