A celebration of the life of LeeRoy Gilbreath, 61, of Mineola, will be held on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Sand Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Craig Kearby and Bro. Roy Prather officiating.

Burial will follow in Pilgrim Rest No. 2 Cemetery under the direction of Lowe Funeral Home, Quitman.

LeeRoy Gilbreath went to be with his heavenly Father, surrounded by family and friends, on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in Quitman.

He was born Jan. 14, 1949, in Childress to James E. and Annie Gilbreath.

LeeRoy was raised in Seagoville and attended Seagoville High School. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1969 and served in Vietnam. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., he met the love of his life, Sarah. They were married for 36 years. LeeRoy never met a stranger, and if you weren't family, you were a friend.

LeeRoy's passions were his Lord and Savior and his wife and children. He was active in the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots Campaign and belonged to the Mineola Marine Corps Detachment No. 1278 where he served as senior vice commandant and was their first Marine of the Year in 2008. He was also a member of Quitman Lions Club.

He was a loving husband, devoted father and an already proud papa of a soon-to-be-born granddaughter. He also enjoyed fishing, cruising and taking care of his brood of dachshunds, Chloe, Bevo, Paisley, Bailey and Wilbur.

LeeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James and Doyle Gilbreath; and infant daughter, Rebecca.

He is survived by his loving family including his wife, Sarah of Mineola; daughter, Andrea Gilbreath of Mineola; daughter, Melissa Gilbreath of Mineola; daughter, Jessica Galyean and husband Josh of Golden; sisters, Alline McGlothlin and husband Johnny of Boyce, La., Mary Gwartney and husband Jerry of Elk City, Okla., Debra Reed of Mineola; brothers, Robert Gilbreath and wife Shirley of Golden, Larry Gilbreath and wife Trilla of Mineola; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Sean Earle, Seth Schoolcraft, Doyle Reed, Jeff Gwartney, Tim Gwartney, Mark Gwartney, James Gilbreath, Steve Gilbreath, Sean Tucker, Jerry Lee Tucker and Josh Bailey.

Honorary pallbearers will be his brothers of the Mineola Marine Corps Detachment No. 1278.

Memorials in honor of LeeRoy Gilbreath may be made to the Toys for Tots Campaign Building Fund in care of the Mineola Marine Corps Detachment No. 1278, P.O. Pox 564, Mineola, 75773.