LeRoy Melvin "Roy" Croft

LeRoy "Roy" Melvin Croft, 86, our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away suddenly at his home in Idaho Falls on April 30, 2010.

Roy was born May 8, 1923, in Shelley, Idaho, to Samuel Edward Croft and Rosalind Allen Croft. He grew up and attended schools in Shelley. Roy had two sisters and five brothers. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a medic, stationed in London, England.

In January 1947, he married Bessie Rinker. They lived in Idaho Falls and the Grant area in Jefferson County. They had one daughter, JoAnne, and five sons together, and later 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. They divorced in 1969.

In June 1979, Roy married Lucille Swearingen, and they made their home in Idaho Falls. Lucy has three sons, Lee, Greg and Brent; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Following his discharge from the Army, Roy worked briefly as a miner in northern Idaho, then for Clark Concrete, Safeway, White-Star Laundry in Idaho Falls and various contractors at Idaho National Laboratory for more than 30 years. He retired in August 1985.

Roy enjoyed being with his family, going fishing, going to Quartzsite, Ariz., with Lucy to spend winters with the snowbirds, home-improvement remodeling projects and gardening. He loved playing the guitar from his youth and was a member of the Old Time Fiddlers for many years.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Lula, Ada, James, Lyle, Lewis, Kenneth and Marion.

He is survived by one brother, Verlyn (Margaret) of Idaho Falls; his wife, Lucy; children, Dennis (Dorothy) of Idaho Falls, Larry (Cynthia), Rick (Sue) and Darrel, all of Boise, David of Pocatello, and JoAnne of Idaho Falls; three stepsons, Lee and Greg (Ann) of Idaho Falls, and Brent (Lisa) of Waxahachee, Texas.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 6, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave. The family will visit with friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today and for one hour prior to the services, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ammon Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.