LeRoy Laverne Vineyard

LeRoy L. Vineyard passed away on October 2, 2014 at Southlake Village Care Center in Lincoln. Lee was born on a farm west of Marysville, Kansas on July 30, 1925, the son of Mary (Svoboda) and Lon Vineyard Jr. Lee attended a country school for a time, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1942 at the age of 16. The family had a farm sale in 1940 and moved into Marysville when Lon was called back to the railroad.

After graduating from high school, Lee got a job with the railroad, first in Kansas City, and then back in Marysville, and worked for one year before joining the Marine Corps in 1943. Lee was an Antitank Gun Crewman with the 4th Division, and was engaged in combat operations in the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Lee's brother Don also served in the Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations. After completion of his Marine Corps World War II duties in November 1945, Lee entered Kansas State University and earned a degree in Agriculture in 1949. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Reserves in 1948.

Lee and Margaret Joanne Rankin were united in marriage on August 30, 1947 at Marysville, Kansas. The family lived in towns in Kansas where Lee served as the County Agent, until moving to York in 1952, where Lee took a job as a grain buyer and later an elevator owner. Lee was the Commander of the National Guards in York, and was called to active duty 1961-62. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1978. Lee served several terms on the York Public Schools' Board of Education, followed by several terms as the mayor. Lee was a seed corn representative in Iowa in the 1980s and 90s before moving to Lincoln in 1997.

Lee was devoted to his family. He made friends with everyone he met, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed joking around. His military experiences led to a lifetime interest in military history and dedication to the Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; daughters Paula (Roy) Baker and Melissa Vineyard; sons Bruce, Brian (Jan), and Todd Vineyard; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; brother Don Vineyard and family of Salina, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susanne.

Graveside military services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 6 at the Greenwood Cemetery in York, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Lincoln VFW.