LeRoy Gilbert Abrams Jr.

9/19/47 – 6/21/14

LeRoy G Abrams Jr was born in Hempstead, Long Island NY on Sept 19, 1947 to Leota (Renter) and LeRoy Abrams Sr.  The family moved to Kirkland WA in 1957 initially residing with LeRoy Sr’s sister Margery Thompson and husband Harry.  They eventually found their own home in Kirkland WA on 5^th Street.

LeRoy completed his schooling from grade school through high school in the Kirkland area, graduating from Lake Washington High School in June 1966.  He met his sweetheart Pat Konkler in high school before his junior year.   They were married on Aug 12, 1966 in the chapel of First Baptist Church in Kirkland WA by Pastor Willard Miller.  During the wedding ceremony while the couple was kneeling at the altar someone wrote the word ‘Help’ on the bottom of one of his shoes in yellow chalk.  The newlyweds spent a weekend in Westport WA for their honeymoon after a brief delay due to car problems.  The couple first resided in a duplex in Rose Hill (Kirkland) until buying their first home in Woodinville in 1969 where Pat still resides.

LeRoy was a woodworker by trade.  He used his artistry to build custom furniture, decorative cabinets and cup shelves.  He sold his meticulous work in Leavenworth WA for about 5 years and many family members have his work in their homes.  He also did landscaping work and enjoyed working in his own yard.

LeRoy’s Mother passed in 1989 and LeRoy cared for his Father at the end of his life.  After his Father’s passing LeRoy and Pat travelled took long road trips to the Southwest five times from 2000-2006.  In 2004 LeRoy was diagnosed with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).  In 2008 the couple took their last trip to the Southwest for three weeks.  He enjoyed travelling with his wife, loved trains and had the opportunity to take a few train rides in his travel.

He also loved fishing.  He learned about fishing from his mother and father in-law joining them on numerous fishing trips and was a prolific fisherman.  LeRoy was a good man who would give you the shirt off his back.  He wanted to help people; he understood a lot and knew what he wanted to do.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of almost 48 years Pat, 2 cats (Boots and Willy), cousins, nieces and nephews.  He wrote a poem about his marriage to Pat that sums up their life together:

A celebration of LeRoy’s life will be scheduled in September around his 67^th birthday.  Friends and family will be notified of date/time/location.