LeRoy Wayne Sumwalt

LeRoy was born March 30, 1943 in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was an only child to parents Max & Gladys Sumwalt. He passed away Wednesday, January 24th at Kaweah Delta after a 13-day respiratory illness. The family moved to Wisconsin when he was two years old and lived in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin for 1 � years and then enlisted in the US Army for 3 years. He served in Germany for 2 � years. He married Betty on August 13, 1966 and they moved to Portland, Oregon where he attended Multnomah School of the Bible for 1 � years. They then moved to Southern California where he attended Biola College graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education in 1971. He then attended Talbot Seminary getting his Masters in Christian Education in 1974. Their son, Todd was born in 1974, and they moved to Peoria, Illinois to serve as Pastor of Youth & Christian Education to be near both families, who were in Wisconsin. They then moved back to Southern California 5 years later to serve as Christian Education Pastor for 2 years in Burbank. From there he went to serve at a church in Reno, Nevada for 7 years. The remainder of his ministry was 22 years at Grace Community Church in Visalia. He served as Christian Education Pastor and then later as Administration & Missions Pastor. AWANA was a very special ministry to him as he loved seeing children learn God's Word. Missions was also a passion for him and he led a number of missions trips to do construction in Guatemala, Columbia & New Zealand. He retired in June of 2009. In retirement he and his wife served as short time volunteers at Child Evangelism headquarters in Missouri, YWAM University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii, Navigators Headquarters, Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs, and served on several mission trips to Mexico with the Grace Community Church High School Ministry. He is survived by wife Betty of 57 years, son Todd and wife Marie and three grandsons: Porter 23, Jackson 20, and Colton 17. He enjoyed spending time with the three boys whom he loved very much and was very proud of. He will be greatly missed by his family. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

LeRoy Wayne Sumwalt

March 30, 1943 - January 24, 2024