LeRoy Oren VanGilder

LeRoy Oren VanGilder, 86, of Garden City, Missouri passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 22, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Vernon County, Missouri on Friday, November 22, 1935, to Lloyd and Estella (Davis) VanGilder. LeRoy attended Scaley Bark grade school, from there going to and graduating from Holden High School in 1953. LeRoy married the love of his life, Sylvia Hutchings on Friday, November 13, 1953, and for 68 wonderful years made their home in rural Johnson County, Missouri. He went to work at General Motors in December of that year and worked for 30 years until his retirement in May of 1984. While at GM he was a proud member of the UAW. When not at his full-time job he was farming and showing his children how much fun, it is to grow up on a farm. He enjoyed boating and skiing, always showing off his skills, slalom style. LeRoy taught many family members how to ski and said he couldn’t rest until everyone in the family knew how. When the kids were grown LeRoy and Sylvia spent the summers traveling all over Missouri going to Bluegrass Music Festivals. His love of singing and playing guitar would then carry over to the campsite where he’d sit and sing and play music with friends from all around the country. For over 30 years they wintered in Texas, early on settling in fishing camps and fishing the Rio Grande, on the boat they hauled from Missouri. After a few years of fishing, they gave that up for more social activities. He found a new love of line dancing, singing karaoke and of course playing on his guitar. While in Texas he was a member of the Lake Front Church in Zapata, and even became a board member. He attended Rose Hill Baptist Church when he was home and served on the Cemetery Board in his free time. LeRoy will be deeply missed by everyone, especially his family. LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd VanGilder and Estella Davis-VanGilder-Highley; Daughter, Deborah VanGilder-Danforth; Brother, Paul (Buddy) VanGilder; Sister, Christina Coakley; Surviving his passing are his wife, Sylvia, of the home; Sister, Marie Cunningham; Son, Rick VanGilder of Holden; Daughter, Mary Becker, husband Kim, of Holden; 8 Grandchildren, Michelle Mickelberry, Nathan Yoder, Steve Danforth, Lucas Yoder, Shana VanGilder, Laura Akins, Heather Lewless, Nicole Becker; 8 Great-Grand Children; 2 Great-Great Grandchildren; Many Nieces and Nephews. Family will receive friends Tuesday, July 26, 2022, from 5PM-7PM at Campbell-Cast Funeral Home in Holden, Missouri. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 10AM at the funeral home with Brother Larry (Red) Matson officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers: Nathan Yoder, Lucas Yoder, Steve Danforth, Logan Yoder, Jonas Yoder, Brycen Mickelberry. Honorary Bearers: Bill Johnson, Darrell Hutchings, Ron Dickey, John Tevis, Terry Gann, Stoney Hutchings, Richard Woods, Chad Ayler. In Lieu of Flowers the family suggests memorials to the Rose Hill Cemetery.

LeRoy Oren VanGilder

November 22, 1935 - July 22, 2022