Tributes

Leroy Peter Lassere, Sr. was born January 11, 1937 to parents, Julian August Lassere and Celine Persyn Lassere. He left this world a much better place than he found it when he departed on February 16, 2025. He was 88 years young. As a child growing up, Leroy learned to farm. He and his brothers learned to sell flowers wholesale to the local flower shops. Raised during hard times, he would often share stories about drinking milk straight from the cow and sandwiches with nothing more than a slice of tomato and mayo. This farm knowledge came in handy while putting together his many 4H projects while attending Burbank High School. In 1956, Leroy met the love of his life, Shara Lynn. They married on June 1, 1957. They built a life together most would envy. Together, they had 4 children and were able to celebrate 49 years of wedded matrimony before Shara Lynn lost her battle with ALS. During that time, Leroy worked at Barrett Industries for years. Once the company closed, Leroy went to work for Dean Word, where he worked as a Construction Superintendent until his retirement in 2007. He served Dean Word for 35 years. In addition to being a husband, father, and employee, Leroy had many hobbies. He raised and sold birds of different varieties. He enjoyed working cattle, so much so that most of his grandchildren remember weekend trips out to the lease for feeding times. He also loved honey bees. Most that knew him truly believed he had a “green thumb” as he could make anything grow. He could plant an ordinary stick in the ground and lovingly care for it until it bore fruit – and it would, in the form of either the best pecans or oranges you would have ever tasted! Then, he’d use the wood to smoke his Bar-B-Que, as some would say he was quite the Pit Master. But, you better ask what meat was on the grill, as his kids learned early on–with Leroy growing up during a time when food was short, there was no telling what he may grill and choose to make for dinner. An avid hunter and fisherman, it could be anything from elk, rattlesnake, to bison! It was during some of these hunting trips to Colorado that “Grandaddy” built memories with the grandkids they’d never forget–such as you better beat him to sleep or you wouldn’t sleep due to the volume level of his snores! Leroy never met a stranger he didn’t befriend. A personable man that shared the shirt off his back, he was loved by many because of the father figure and example he provided, the mentorship he shared, and the friendship he gave freely with nothing ever expected in return. Like the fruits from his pecan and orange trees, he gave freely, openly, and encouraged you to take more. Leroy was met in death by his wife, Shara Lynn, his parents, and his older brother, Julian Louis Lassere. He is survived by his son, Leroy (Vicki) Lassere, Jr., daughters Annette (Darrell) Damron, Jeanette Coyle, and Laurie Samsel. He is also survived by his younger brother, Bobby (Evelyn) Lassere. He was blessed with and loved by 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and extraordinary friendships with Mike (Cyndi) Henk, Ron(Cathy) McCoy, and Rebecca Murray. The family would like to send a special thank you to Stephanie Yzaguirre, R.N. and Nightingale Hospice for all the special care Leroy, aka our “Grandaddy” received during his last few days. The family would like to leave you with this as it is written in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Tributes

Leroy P. Lassere Sr.

January 11, 1937 - February 16, 2025