LeRoy Thomas Halsey's Obituary
LeRoy Thomas “Roy” Halsey, 90, of Midfield, Texas, passed away on September 3, 2023, in Bay City, Texas.
Roy was born on February 1, 1933, in Steuben County, Indiana, to Ted and Reva Halsey. He graduated in 1951 from Salem Center High School in Pleasant Lake, Indiana.
Soon after graduating, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving active duty from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War and reserve duty until 1959. During 1952-1955, he made his home on the ship USS Prairie AD15 in the rank of ST3, a signalman. He was deployed in the Far East, mainly in Japan.
Shortly after his honorable discharge, he met the love of his life, Sharlene “Shar” Kirk, at a dance in Michigan. They married in 1959 and settled in Sturgis, Michigan. Roy was an electrical designer, creating electrical systems for ambulances. Loving nature, he enjoyed taking his four children on camping trips all over the USA, especially his youngest, Brenda.
After retirement, Roy and Shar traveled on the NASCAR circuit. Roy was a Winston Cup official while Shar worked the Dale Earnhardt souvenir trailer.
After a year with NASCAR, Roy and Shar moved to Florida to escape the brutal Michigan winters. He became a proficient wood worker, using a scroll saw. He made beautiful and intricate pieces, many earning awards. His last work, an elaborate cuckoo clock, was finished when he was 88 years old and is proudly displayed in the home of his son and daughter-in-law.
Leaving Florida, he and Shar moved to Arkansas in 2014 to 2016 to live by their daughter Pam. They then relocated to Texas, spending the last seven years of their life in Midfield, Texas, living in a house next door to their son Keith. Roy and Shar were inseparable and devoted to each other for 64 years. It is not surprising that they passed only seven months a part.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his brother DeWayne Halsey, his two daughters, Pam Taylor, and Brenda Halsey Wagner, and his son Duane Halsey.
Survivors include his son Keith (Peggy) Halsey, nine grandchildren: Melanie Wray, Charako Applegate, Erica Garza, Jenelle Taylor, Evelyn Vowel, Meryl Daugherty, Ashley Lundquist, Alice Wagner, Matthew Wagner, thirteen great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Roy’s Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following—American Cancer Society (cancer.org) or the Alzheimers Foundation.
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