LEROY W. MING, 80, of Eau Claire, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2012, surrounded by his family at Fall Creek Valley Care Center in Fall Creek after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on April 2, 1931, in Eau Claire, to Walter and Lilly (Hanson) Ming. He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School. He also attended Wisconsin State University at Eau Claire. Roy also enlisted in the United States Air Force and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant upon his honorable discharge in 1955. Roy was employed by Montgomery Wards working his way up to store manager in Miles City, Montana. That career brought him back to Eau Claire where he was department manager at the Eau Claire Montgomery Ward store. He later was employed at Menards West as a carpet salesman. He retired in 1989 and Judy and Roy spent a lot of time at their trailer on Lake Holcombe, and later at the family cabin on the Chippewa Flowage. From an early age Roy spent, in his words, "every waking moment" taking part in the variety of sporting activities provided by the Parks and Recreation Department at the local playground on Mt. Simon. His competitiveness in sports carried over into his high school years, the military service, and college where he starred at center and linebacker for the UWEC Blugolds. One of the things Roy was especially proud of was the fact that he played on the 1956 championship football team for UWEC. Roy was a well known athlete of his time in the Eau Claire area participating in softball, baseball, and basketball in the YMCA, and Parks and Recreation leagues. Whenever he would introduce his family to one of his competitors of the past they would always comment that "Roy was one of the best football players I ever played against." Roy valued his Christian life and was a lifetime member of Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, where he was baptized, attended Christian day school, and confirmed in the Christian faith He sang in the church choir, and held many different positions on the church council. His strong faith in his Lord was with him to the end. Roy loved to hunt and fish whenever he had the opportunity to. He went on many fishing and hunting trips with his wife Judy, his children, grandchildren, brothers, nephews, and his dear friend Gene Caswell. Roy was an avid fan of the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers all of his life. Roy married Jean Loken and to that union was born a son Michael, and identical twin daughters Louise and Virginia. Roy and Jean later divorced. On February 28, 1981 Roy married Judith Julson, and they just celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary this past Tuesday. Roy is survived by his wife Judy of Eau Claire; son, Michael (Mary Kay) of Altoona; daughter, Virginia (Darrel) Peterson of Eau Claire; step-children, Cindy Moss of Boyd, Jeff (Kathy) Julson of Eau Claire, and Rick (Susan) Julson of Chippewa Falls; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Vern (Dianne) Ming of Fall Creek; aunt, Viola Barrett of Eau Claire; brother-in-law, Bill (Marge) Hamilton of Rosemont, MN; and many other special nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Louise; his parents; brothers, James and Gary; sisters, Virginia Ming and Bonnie Nowak; brother-in-law, Hermie Nowak; and a nephew, Jeffrey Ming. The family would like to send their sincere thanks to the nurses and staff of the Fall Creek Valley Care Center and St Joseph's Hospice. Funeral Services for Roy will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Reverend Frederick W. Theiste officiating. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday, March 5, 2012, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire, and also one hour prior to the service at church on Tuesday. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery. Goodbye Roy, your life here is finished but our memories of you will live on in our hearts forever. We love you!

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