LeRoy Donald Utke, 84, lifelong resident of Colfax, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Whitman Health & Rehab. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at the Colfax Cemetery.

LeRoy was born on the family farm near Colfax, Washington on April 12, 1931 to August and Eulah (Helm) Utke. His father passed away when LeRoy was just four years old and the family moved into Colfax. His childhood years were spent growing up in Colfax's "Russian Town" and his many brothers and sisters filled the void of the father he had lost. He always loved the memories of that time in his life. His education was completed exclusively in Colfax, attending Martha Washington grade school and graduating from Colfax High in 1951. He especially enjoyed track, boxing and football when he was in school.

He met Wilma Gering during their sophomore year of high school and they quickly developed a deep love which lasted their entire time together. They were married on June 4, 1952 and at the time of LeRoy's passing they had been together for 63 years. They had two sons, Rich & Craig, and LeRoy always considered them to be such a blessing. As they got older, LeRoy and the boys spent many weekends together hunting, fishing and trapping. He always said he was very lucky to have them and enjoyed their trips together to big game hunting in Montana and Alaska. He was also overjoyed when his beautiful granddaughter Anastasia was born, something he had waited so long for.

After graduation, LeRoy enlisted with the United States Army. He served as an infantryman in Korea and was injured during battle, earning him the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and then began a 30 year career working for Whitman County as a road inspector. Looking back, LeRoy often thought of the many students who had summertime jobs weighing rock or flagging. He always hoped he had been a good influence on them in their young lives. After retirement, LeRoy worked as manager of a rock crushing operation in Colfax and worked on the crew that built the new Whitman County jail.

He was an avid fan of American Indian History, visiting Indian museums and collecting arrowheads. In fact, he had quite the extensive collection of arrowheads. He enjoyed taking many vacations with his family, many of them to Montana. He liked walking, looking for fossils, photography, hunting, fishing, trapping and almost anything outdoors. Later in life as his health began to fail and he could no longer walk, LeRoy spent a lot of time in his shop braiding ropes which he gave to many of his friends. He also enjoyed wood burning pictures and writing out his family history. His family is thankful for the books of these many memories as they are so very special now.

LeRoy is survived by his wife Wilma at the family home in Colfax; sons Rich Utke of Colfax and Craig Utke of Spokane; granddaughter Anastasia Utke of Spokane as well as his many friends all over the county. He was preceded in death by his daughters-in-law Nona Whitney and Kim White, parents and siblings, including infant siblings Howard and Barbara Jean whom he never met.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Disabled Veterans of America or a local veteran's service organization of choice. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.