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- Born February 5, 1907 in the farm home with the family physician attending (Dr. Bradyhoft.) to Emerson Vernon and Leona(Bisbee)Melia. Died January 7, 1974 at Tulsa, Oklahoma with Burial in the Bucklin Cemetery attended a one room country school during the grades and graduated from Ford High School in 1924 and then attended Kansas State University, Manhattan. Graduating with honors and a BS degree in Agricultural Education. While attending KSU he realized a great many accomplishments including that of High Individual in the Nation Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest held in Chicago in 1927, and high individual in the National Collegiate Grain Judging Contest held in that same city a year later.
Leroy taught vocational Ag for 30 years, 27 years at Coldwater, Kansas. His first year a Byers, and the next two at St. George, Kansas. During his career as an instructor, he coached many winning teams in grain and livestock judging in state and regional contests, one of those years winning the Nation FFA Judging Contest held in Kansas City. Three of his students won an American Farmer Degree and numerous others attended the State Farmer Degree in FFA during his teaching career.
Leroy also served one term as president of the Kansas Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association. He retired from teaching in 1957 to return to assist with the home farm near Ford, established residence in Dodge City in 1961, still remaining active with his brother in operation of the farm.
On July 13, 1930 Leroy and Doris M. Bland were married in her family home near Lucas Kansas. Only family members attended the wedding. A son and daughter were born to this union.
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