Lloyd Lavern Leclair

Lloyd L. LeClair, 91, a long time resident of the Milwaukie community died Thursday evening, February 24, 2011 at his home following a long illness. Graveside Services and Vault Interment will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2011 At 2:00 PM at Willamette National Cemetery, Mt. Scott Blvd, Portland, Oregon Military Honors will be presented by the Oregon Military Funeral Honors Team. A Private Family Service was held earlier on Wednesday. Lloyd LaVern LeClair was born October 16, 1919 in Wetterburn, Oregon to the late Grover Cleveland and Clara Mae Olson LeClair. He was raised and educated in Gold Beach, Oregon where he was very active in sports. Lloyd attended college for three years at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. He joined the US Army in November of 1942. He became a Parachute Infantry Unit Commander.He served in the 82nd Airborne Division during the invasion of Normandy. During his tour of duty he was reported as Missing In Action and later located. Lloyd was held as a Prisoner Of War in Germany for several months before he was released. He also served in the Korean War where he was seriously injured. He was awarded the Silver Star. Lloyd was united in marriage to May Califf on February 6, 1943 in Fort Benning, Georgia before he shipped out to duty. They celebrated sixty-eight years of life together and raised five children. After his return home, Lloyd settled his family in Oregon City. He worked for Crown Zellerbach as an inspector for over thirty-five years. He also had his own business at home \u0026quot;Lloyds T.V. Sales and Repair\u0026quot;. His wife ran the shop while he was on the road. He was very involved with his community having been a past member of the Presbyterian Church, The Odd Fellows, he was a member of the Royal Rosarians and a past President of the Portland Rose Society. Lloyd loved roses. He enjoyed the outdoors, having taken his family camping and fishing. He and May traveled to Hawaii, to Florida and most recently to Washington DC to visit the WWII Memorial. He was also inducted to the Oregon Military Hall of Fame. Lloyd retired in 1981. Lloyd was preceded in death by all of his siblings, brothers; Orie, Don, and Ernie, as well as his sisters, Mildred and Viola. Survivors include his wife May of the family home, sons; Roger D. LeClair and Douglas M. LeClair, three daughters; LaVern L. Jacobs, Juanita Le Clair Mara and Michelle A. Peterson. Also surviving are twenty-five grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and one great -great grandchild on the way. Services are entrusted to Peake Funeral Chapel, 1925 SE Scott St. Milwaukie, 503-654-7755 online info www.peakefh.com for tributes and info."",