Leroy Jasper

Leroy Jasper was born on September 3, 1936 in Laurel, Mississippi to Ernest and Lillie Jasper. He was the sixth of eight children born to this union. Leroy accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of First Allen A.M.E. Church in Laurel, MS. Leroy excelled in football and was an all-state offensive lineman at Oak Park High, the all-black high school in Laurel, Ms. He declined going pro, instead entering the United States Air Force in June of 1955, serving as a prep cook. He completed his high School education while in the service and received an honorable discharge. Returning to Laurel he worked for the Masonite Corporation. At the age of 25 he married Dorothy Lee and from this union two children were born, Deadra, and Christopher.

Leroy later moved to Detroit where he worked for the Chrysler Corporation as a press operator. In his last years he worked in maintenance and retired from Chrysler December 2001 after 32 years of service. In Detroit his love of bowling brought him into contact with the love of his life at the 20 Grand Bowling Alley. After a long courtship, He married Edwina Phillips on September 2, 1979. Their union resulted in a blended family of seven children. Theirs was a 53 year romance that endured and their joy in each other was evident to all. Leroy joined John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in Detroit on Beechwood under the leadership of Rev. Stewart, serving on the Senior Usher Board. Leroy and Edwina moved to Laurel to care for relatives. They lived there for 15 years before returning to Michigan in Aug of 2013. Although his poor health prohibited him from attending services, Sundays were devoted to praise and worship through gospel music and televised services.

Leroy was a soft spoken man of few words. He showed through his actions what it meant to be a man and provide for your family. He was the rock that his extended family relied upon, including the Martindale neighborhood. Backyard cookouts were events for the entire neighborhood. He took joy in bowling, R & B oldies, ballroom dancing with his wife and doing all he could to spoil her. He loved to sit in his recliner, listen to music, watch the westerns and CNN on TV, sitting on the porch and taking lots of naps. Together with Edwina he participated in the Oak Park Alumni Association and later in the veterans’ organization at Imperial Senior Suites. His famous last words to his busy wife were “Edwina sit down somewhere”. Leroy’s last wish was to be at home with his wife and his last days were enjoyed with her by his side uttering sweet words with a lot of hand holding. He passed peacefully in his sleep at home on March 7, 2018.