LeRoy was born the 10th of 12 children to Hjalmer and Mabel Lokken on December 30, 1936 in Valley City, North Dakota. His time on this earth transpired March 11 while under the compassionate care provided by the VA CLC staff.
He attended public school in Valley City. As a youth he worked for Walt’s Sinclair and Bud’s Standard Service Stations. In 1954 he joined the N.D. National Guard 767 “Transportation Company” beginning many years of service for his country. A year later he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force. In June 1957 he married Doris Babcock, daughter of John and Helena Babcock of Valley City. They had three children, Paulette, Scott and Jeffrey.
As an Air Force family they traveled around the world. He retired from the Air Force in 1976 after serving at several stateside bases, Parks AFB, CA; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; McChord AFB, WA; Holloman AFB, N.M.; Vance AFB, OK; overseas bases were Fairfield, England; Bitburg AB, Germany; Misaua, Japan; Takili, Thailand; CCK, Taiwan. During his Air Force career as a Security Police Investigator and Custom Agent he received numerous awards and citations along with several medals for outstanding service to his country. Upon retiring from the AF the family moved to Boise, Idaho. Leroy was immediately hired as a Security Officer at Capital High School. In 1979 he started work for Hewlett-Packard where he became a production Section Manager. 1988 found Leroy returning to Capital High School once again as Security Officer, retiring in 1999. He always enjoyed the opportunity to work with youth. Leroy’s love of Idaho’s mountains led to the building of the “Cabin” near Crouch, Idaho. Many hours of rigorous labor by him and family went into its building. . The effort was well invested as the countless days of family activities and gatherings there fostered priceless memories for all.
He trusted in his God’s holy word to guide him – rededicating his life to Jesus during Billy Graham’s August 1982 Boise Crusade.
I can’t leave out his faithful friend, his dog Nik, the two were inseparable. He was truly my dads best friend. Nik was put to sleep in December 2021 the same year my mom passed away, a very difficult time for him.
Leroy is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Doris, one son Jeffrey, eight brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his brother David Lokken, his daughter Paulette Neu (Greg), son Scott Lokken (Julie), 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Samaritan’s Purse or the Crouch Community Church in LeRoy’s memory
A viewng will be held, 5:00 pm – 7:00pm, Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Bowman Funeral Parlor, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr., Garden City, Idaho.
A committal service will be held 10:00 am, Friday, March 22, 2024 at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Boise, Idaho. A memorial service will follow beginning at 11:00 am at Bowman Funeral Parlor.
To view LeRoy’s tribute video please visit https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/PQ5KTL8GCMNXP85N