LeRoy Gebhardt

LeRoy died peacefully in his sleep on November 14, 2025, in Seattle Washington. 

LeRoy was born on March 26, 1933, in Scobey, Montana to Christian and Kathryn (Byrne) Gebhardt. He was the youngest of twelve children. He spent most of his youth in Scobey before the family moved to Plains, Montana. He graduated valedictorian from Plains High School in 1951.

After graduating, LeRoy traveled to Alaska to work on the Alcan Highway before serving with the U.S. Army in the Korean War. Following his service, LeRoy continued his education while working at Boeing. He received his PhD in Engineering from the University of Washington in 1966.

LeRoy married Sharon Chapel on October 7, 1967, in Seattle, Washington. They relocated to Torrance, California, so LeRoy could start working for TRW Space Laboratories and he and Sharon could begin raising a family. In 1978, the family moved to a 200-acre farm outside of Ronan, Montana. LeRoy enjoyed the independence, challenges, and rewards of farming and continued to live on the farm for many years. The farm was his refuge, where he would return, especially later in life. LeRoy moved to Seattle, Washington, in 2000 to be closer to his children and renovate several properties he had purchased.

LeRoy was a devout Catholic. He was very generous and always made time to help his children with home repairs and other projects. He placed a strong emphasis on education and hard work, which he passed down to his children.

He is survived by his six children, Connie, Christian (Emily), Theresa (Tuong), Elizabeth Lowe (Russ), Jennifer of Seattle, Washington, and JoAnna Parmantier (Dominic) of Post Falls, Idaho. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Elana, Liam, Jeremiah, Xavier, Cecelia and Philomena. LeRoy was the last surviving member of a generation. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clarence, Francis, Jim, Guy, John, Leo and Martin, and sisters Helen, Evelyn, Angeline, and Ruth. 

A funeral vigil will be held at 4 p.m., Nov. 21 and a funeral mass will be held at 12 p.m., Nov. 22 at St. James Catholic Church, 107 Meany St., Plains, Montana, followed by interment at the Plains Cemetery. 

Gifts in his memory can be made to Catholic Relief Services at http://www.crs.org/. 

Arrangements by Sunset Hills Funeral Home at (406) 826-5653 or https://www.sunsethillsfuneralhomes.com/.