Ralph LeRoy "Junior" Leslie Jr.

Ralph LeRoy "Junior" Leslie, Jr., 71, of 16479 County Highway OO, Chippewa Falls, town of Lafayette, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, in Juneau County from injuries sustained in a traffic accident.

He was born June 5, 1936, in Eau Claire to Hilda (Redlaczyk) and Ralph Leslie Sr. He attended Eau Claire Senior High School, graduating in 1954.

Ralph married Donna Catlin in 1956. They had three children, Kimberly, Kari, and Steve. He owned and operated Eau Claire Roofing for over 50 years until he turned it over to his son, Steve. Ralph married Sharon Davis in 1994.

Junior owned horses all of his life. Ralph's love of horses touched the community through the many years of holiday sleigh rides given at his residence on Highway 12 in Eau Claire.

Survivors include: his loving wife, Sharon Davis-Leslie of Chippewa Falls; two daughters, Kimberly Leslie of Palm Harbor, Fla., Kari (Brad) Kelsall of Ocala, Fla.; his son, Steve (Peggy) Leslie of Hood River, Ore.; his former wife, Donna (Jerry) Colby of Eau Claire; three stepchildren, Patrick (Karen) Davis of Chippewa Falls, Darrell (Kelly) Davis of Seattle, Wash., Christian (Amy) Davis of Oakland, Calif.; three sisters, Nancy (Charles) Boomhower of Seville, Ohio, Patricia (Rollie) Bushland of Chippewa Falls, Sandy (Ron) Steen of Eau Claire; one brother, James (Rosemary) Leslie of Eau Claire; eight grandchildren, April (Frank) Chen, James, Jasmine, Joseph, Simone, Noel, Patrick, and Maurice Davis; one sister-in-law, Marlene Marcott of Chippewa Falls; many other relatives and friends.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Hilda Leslie; and one daughter-in-law, Debra Leslie.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls with Pastor Jim Woldhuis of Chippewa Valley Bible Church officiating.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. until the time of service Thursday at the funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's memory may be directed to the Chippewa County Humane Association or donations in Debra Leslie's memory may be directed to Northwest Wisconsin Homecare and Hospice.

Ralph will be remembered for his devotion to all animals and his special relationship with his grandchildren, the loves of his life.

Dear Dad,

Talking with you was the best thing I did during my day. You have been the rock in my life. No matter what I needed, you were there for me. I want to tell you that your daughters depended on you too. You were always there for your kids. I can't tell you how many times you said you were proud of all three of your children. Dad, you taught us the true meaning of love. You never wavered. You lived your life by the motto "never give up."

Your health issues never slowed you down. You built a new home and a new life after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I know it's not easy to start over.

Dad, thank you for teaching me that it's okay to have faults. It's not up to us to judge one another. Our faults teach us and make us stronger. You also told me to do things in moderation. Dad, I know one thing you didn't take in moderation, your positive attitude. You never told me to give up when I faced a difficult challenge or situation. I'll always remember that you told me to never say I can't do something when I hadn't even tried. You always told me, "Keep swinging, Steve. Roll with the punches."

Dad, I want to thank you for all that you've done for me, your support, and never ending love.

Love,

Your son, Steve

P.S. Jesus, please take good care of my father.

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