Leroy Vincent Bushman paid obit pic

February 2, 1926 – December 9, 2021

Leroy Vincent Bushman, 95, of La Grande, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at a local care facility. A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 2 p.m. Casual dress is preferred by the family.

Leroy was born on February 2, 1926, in Pendleton, Oregon, to Fred and Iva (Eads) Bushman. He resided in Gibbon, Oregon, for 27 years and then lived in Perry, Oregon, from 1974 until his death. He attended elementary school in Perry and graduated from La Grande High School. He married Beverly Graybeal on June, 24, 1947.

Leroy served in the United States Navy during WWII aboard the U.S. Bosque and the battleship U.S.S. Iowa. He was aboard the U.S.S. Iowa in Tokyo Bay for the duration of the surrender of Imperial Japan.

Leroy worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a Signal Maintainer from 1946 until his retirement in 1988. In their early years of marriage, he and Beverly traveled all over the Pacific Northwest on a signal gang.

He was an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the oldest living WWII veteran for the CTUIR.

Leroy enjoyed yardwork and gardening. He was an avid fly fisherman and big game hunter. Camping with his family was always a favorite activity. He was very supportive of his children’s and grandchildren’s sports involvement and loved attending their games to cheer them on.

Leroy is survived by his children, Julie Alexander (Dale) of Pendleton, Oregon, Jeffrey Bushman (Lisa) of Summerville, Oregon, and Steven Bushman (Brandy) of La Grande, Oregon; 11 grandchildren, Cristy (Malone) Miller, Neil Alexander, Nicole Alexander, Joel Bushman, Ryan Malone, Joseph Alexander, Rebecca (Bushman) Varland, Chelsea (Malone) Musgrove, Tylor Ketchum, Jason Bushman and Thomas Bushman; 20 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Bushman; parents, Fred and Iva Bushman; brothers, Clenton Bushman and Berton Bushman; daughter, Diana Malone; and infant daughter, Lora Anne.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.