LeROY IRVINE BUSHART

1934 - 2023

LeRoy Irvine Bushart, 88, of Sonora, died Oct. 4, 2023, at Emanuel Medical Center surrounded by family. Leroy was born in Oakland, California, to Everette and Kathryn Bushart on Nov. 29, 1934.
As a young man, LeRoy married Christa Lee Tillary and became a father of three children. He was passionate about his role as a provider for his family. Initially working in an auto repair shop replacing tires and taking college night classes for 22 years, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's in business administration. During this time, he was a Cub Scouts pack leader and a Boy Scouts troop leader and helped many young men build a love of the outdoors. His enjoyment of music was evident through his playing the marimba, square dancing, and singing in choir.
Later in life, LeRoy was an electrical engineer working on military scale food production and fiber optics in the commercial sector. He remarried to Wilma Hanna Jenkins and was a devoted husband for 40 years. In his retirement, he volunteered at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, contributing to the interior refurbishing of historic railcar No. 2901, founded the Phoenix Lake Restoration Project, and sang in a choir in the Sonora area.
LeRoy was an engineer in the truest sense of the word. His ability to analyze and create showed throughout his life's work and passions. He was a dedicated father and husband who showed his affection through providing for his family. He loved his entire extended family and enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings to watch his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren delight in the model train that ran around the Christmas Tree each year.
He is survived by his siblings Jerry and Linda; three children, Danny, Debbie, and Randy; stepchild, Brian; his six grandchildren, Shawna, Lindsay, and Laura, Kevin, Katelyn and Matthew; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two stepchildren. LeRoy's beloved wife, Wilma, passed away just days after LeRoy without ever feeling his loss.
A celebration of life will be held for LeRoy and Wilma from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, 10501 Reservoir Road, Jamestown, California. Please RSVP by emailing BushartRSVP@gmail.com, or by calling or texting (209) 536-8090.