Leroy W. McKay

Leroy William McKay, 81, passed on to Heaven in the early morning of Nov. 11, 2013. Leroy was born Dec. 3, 1931, the sixth of seven children to a horse riding, cattle tending, World War I veteran and the ranch's cook. He was brought up in Brighton, Colo., during the Great Depression. He watched his older brothers go off to fight in World War II and the Korean War. The Korean War was still raging when he became old enough to enlist. His dad had been permanently disabled by gas attacks and shrapnel in the trenches during World War I and instructed his sons to avoid the infantry. Leroy followed his father's advice and joined the Navy. He served on an aircraft carrier and later at the U.S. naval base on the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean. After returning to Colorado he worked in a series of jobs, finally landing at the U.S. Postal Service where he worked as a letter carrier in the Denver area until retirement. Along the way, he wooed and married Mona Katherine Duval. Together they raised two sons in a modest house in Lakewood. He was a lifelong Catholic who was preceded to Heaven by his parents, Theodore L. and Marie E. McKay; siblings, Rose, Lawrence, Theodore and Paul; wife Mona; son Michael. He is succeeded by his sisters, Letty Langbein and Marie Horth; son, Thomas; daughters in law, Barbara Hudson and Cathy McKay; grandsons, Jerome (Taci) and Sean (Jennifer Carpenter); great granddaughter, Kiera. Leroy McKay's glass was always more than half full. He greeted each day and everyone he met with a smile and an open heart. He accepted each of life's problems and moved on, certain that things would get better. No obstacle seemed permanent to him. He will remain permanently in our hearts. Graveside services will be held on Monday, Nov. 18th at Ft. Logan National Cemetery at 11:15 AM Staging Area ""C"". Please share memories of Leroy and condolences with his family by signing the online guestbook below.