Obituary of Leroy Rowton

Leroy Rowton, age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday September 29, 2018 at Enloe Hospital in Chico, California.  Leroy was born on June 3, 1935 in Pine Ridge, Arkansas, to Ray Rowton and Millie Crawford. 

Leroy and his family relocated to Laguna Beach, California until he was 8 years old, and then settled in Claremore, Oklahoma for the remainder of his upbringing. Leroy graduated in 1955 from Claremore High School. Shortly following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Airforce in 1956 and became a certified Airplane Mechanic.  Leroy served until he was honorably discharged in 1962.  When Leroy relocated to Newark, California he met the love of his life, Barbara Pickering. Leroy and Barbara married on March 12, 1963 and were married for 50 years, until she passed away on March 16, 2013. Leroy and his family moved to Biggs, California in 1975 where he resided until the time of his passing.

Leroy is survived by his son Christopher Rowton, daughter-in law Radonda Rowton, grandchildren, Justin and Julie Rowton all from St. Louis, Missouri.  He was very close with his surviving sisters; Jeanie Christianson, Millie Ham, Georgia Wiley, Mary Dilldine, and their children all from the Claremore, Oklahoma area.

Funeral services will be held on Friday October 5, 2018 at the Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel at 679 Ohio Street in Gridley, California. There will be a viewing at 1:30 and the funeral service will begin at 2:00 Officiated by Norman Woolery of Biggs, California. Following the Chapel Service there will be a graveside service with Military Honors at the Gridley Biggs Cemetery.