Leo James Tocher

Leo James Tocher, 52, of Rogue River died Thursday, February 10, 2011, at his home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m., Friday at Our Lady of the River Catholic Church in Rogue River, with Fr. William Holtzinger presiding. Recitation of the rosary will precede the Mass at 1:00 p.m. A potluck reception at the church will follow the services. Chapel of the Valley – L.B. Hall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leo Tocher Foundation Scholarship Fund at SOFCU. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapel-valley.com. Leo was born June 24, 1958 in Orange, Calif. to Kenneth and Phyllis Tocher. In June of 1966, he moved to Rogue River with his family and attended local schools, graduating from Rogue River High School in 1976. His school activities included football, wrestling, track and many other extra-curricular activities. After high school, Leo went to work for Brown and Root Construction, traveling to Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. He returned to Rogue River in 1986. His occupations included heavy equipment operator, pipe fitter and a variety of construction jobs. His employers included Pacific Pipe Line, Artoff Construction and Sage Pipeline. Leo loved fishing, hunting, golf, rafting, barbequing and spending time with friends. He founded the Dennis and Marcia Holter Memorial Fund Golf Tournament, which benefitted students of Rogue River High School pursuing higher education. He often claimed to be “The Mayor of Rogue River� and dressed up as Santa Claus for young people and to entertain the community with the annual Christmas display at his residence. His favorite teams were the Rogue River Chieftains, the Oregon Ducks and the Green Bay Packers. Survivors include his brothers, Howard, Andy, George and Kenny Tocher; two sisters, Brenda Coniff and Charlene Hill; 16 nieces and nephews, 15 great-nieces and nephews. Leo was a mentor to Russ Anderson and considered Russ and his two children as his own. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry and his nephew Sean Coniff. Leo's greatest strength was his love and loyalty to family and friends. His generous and charitable heart continues to uplift so many of the people he has helped. Those who knew and loved Leo, as his family does, will feel the void has has left behind.