Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Second child, LeRoy "Roy" James Schwartz, was born to George and Cleone (Powell) Schwartz on May 7, 1934, in Hot Springs, S.D. Roy "graduated" to heaven on Dec. 29, 2023, in Hood River, Ore.
In September 1941, the family left South Dakota, driving a 1933 Chevy, four-door sedan. Upon arrival in the Hood River Valley, they lived with other family members in Mt. Hood. In 1942, Roy's parents purchased a home on Markham Road. Roy attended Barrett Grade School from third through eighth grades. He also attended Hood River High School, where he was a cheerleader. Later he worked as a flagman for a local spray pilot and disced summer fallow in Kent, Ore. After high school, Roy moved to California.
At age 19, he enlisted in the Air Force. His military commitment was largely spent at Misawa Air Base, Japan, as a radio operator. Roy had top secret clearance and access to high security information derived from radio transmissions. In case of attack, the radio squadron was evacuated before women and children. While on military leave, Roy and three buddies took a train to Tokyo, met a guide with horses, and climbed Mt. Fuji. They spent the first night on the mountain in a small lava rock hut, with only sleeping pads on the floor. They rose early the next morning to see the sun rise and to summit Mt. Fuji. We can only imagine Roy's excitement and sense of accomplishment.
After his military discharge, he was employed by Oregon Washington Telephone Company working in the shop, line crew, cable splicer, central office, and later marketing and human resources departments. His tenure with the telephone company lasted 42 years, which included 12 years with the company in Ohio.
Roy's roommate, Don Hollman, introduced him to Addie Root, from Mosier, who he courted and married Feb. 15, 1964, at the First Christian Church in The Dalles. Years later, with excitement and joy, they welcomed daughters, Karina and Karissa.
Special interests included water skiing, golf, bicycling (Cycle Oregon and training by cycling to Cooper Spur for breakfast), fishing with good buddies (Ron Wilkins, Bob Level, Pat Bradley, Jack Shepherd, and others), snow skiing, later walking 10 miles daily, dancing, computer technology, sports cars, traveling (Europe), and enjoying his family and grandchildren. Roy had a phenomenal sense of humor, was extremely sociable, active and warm.
Roy and Addie attended Hood River Church of the Nazarene, where he taught an adult Sunday School Class, organized a community garden, mowed lawns, and served in leadership.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Velma Rich and Verena Heath. His beloved survivors include his wife, Addie, and daughters Karina (Thomas) Bonn and Karissa Schwartz (Brian Barnett). He also leaves behind four loving grandchildren, Chandler Bonn, Kierra (Jake) DeVolder, Anika Bonn, and Aubrielle Bonn. His older sister, Neva Simonds, and younger brother, Loren (June) Schwartz, also survive him. Other family survivors include nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and many friends.
A celebration of life will be held Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. at Anderson's Tribute Center with a reception following. You are cordially invited to attend. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be sent to Hood River Church of the Nazarene, 2168 Belmont Drive, Hood River, OR 97031.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.