DODGE CITY - LeRoy Richard Helfrich, 85, died November 14, 2013 at his home. He was born on October 18, 1928 at Spearville the son of John T. and Laura E. (Droste) Helfrich.

LeRoy, a friend to everyone he ever met, attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Sprearville. He left school after completing 8th grade to help his father with the family dairy.

LeRoy worked as a finishing carpenter and shop supervisor for Rounds & Porter Lumber Company, Antrim Lumber Company, and Mead Lumber Company. While employed with Rounds & Porter, he custom made all the windows for the buildings on Boot Hill's Front Street. He also did roofing jobs with his good friend Vern Conrardy. After his retirement from carpentry, he worked in maintenance for Chaffin Industries.

LeRoy served in the Army National Guard from 1950 - 1957 and excelled as a marksman and sharpshooter with the ranking of Sargeant. In the early 1950's, LeRoy was appointed as a special Ford County Sheriff's Deputy when a rash of arsons began occurring in Dodge City. He had a great love of baseball and was an avid fan of the Kansas City Royals. LeRoy tried out for a baseball scout from the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 1947. He made the cut and was sent to attend spring training but was called home to take over his uncle Frank Helfrich's farm in Barton County. LeRoy was also a successful bowler in serveral leagues over a 40 year period. He married Eileen LaChat on November 26, 1966 at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City.

He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Moose Lodge both of Dodge City.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, Eileen Helfrich of Dodge City; son, Michael Helfrich; two daughters, Renee Allen and husband Monty "Murph" Allen and Christina Helfrich; two grandchildren, Ashley Helfrich and Rylan Allen; great grandson, Brendan Konda; brother, Robert Helfrich of Dodge City, and four sisters, Edith Hall and Charlene Ward both of Dodge City, Mary Hagar of Wichita, and Doris Garner of Missouri.He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Wilma June Warkentin; one brother, John Leon Helfrich and five brother-in-laws, Donald Hall, Orville Warkentin, Donald Hagar, Joseph Garner and Jerry Ward.

Vigil Service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Monday, November 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Terrance Klein presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Sunday, November 17, 2013 from noon to 7:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the LeRoy Helfrich Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.