Leroy was born in Electra, Texas, on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1919 to Mary Elizabeth Simmons and Claude Ray Rodawalt, the fourth of eight children. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-three years, Gloria Faye Oberlender Rodawalt; daughter, Nancy Lynne Rodawalt ; his brothers, Claude and James; and sisters, Geneva, Marjorie, and Leatrice.

Leroy grew up in Electra and attended Electra public schools. Two weeks before his 21st birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He soon discovered a passion that would become his career: Aviation. In March 1944, he was deployed to the China Burma India Theater as a fixed-wing liaison pilot. He flew missions into China to support the British and to transport casualties and Japanese prisoners. On his final mission in Burma, eight pilots and eight aircraft were lost from his unit; Lee was one of two pilots who survived.

Shortly after returning from the war, Lee married Gloria Oberlender of Frederick, Oklahoma; and in 1946 began college at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. While in school, Lee continued to fly for the National Guard. He graduated in 1949 with a B.A. in geology. He was employed as a geologist after college, but his true interest continued to be flying. In early 1951, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army and received additional aviation training at San Marcos, Texas, and eight weeks of helicopter training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was deployed to Korea (Uijeongbu) in October 1951 with the 3rd Infantry Division as a helicopter pilot until November 1952.

Lee was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his extraordinary service in World War II. He received eleven other awards in recognition of his service in World War II and the Korean War. In 1961 he was inducted as the 34th Master Army Aviator in the United States. During his military career he logged over 18,000 pilot hours, with ratings in multiple fixed wing and rotary aircraft, including instrument ratings. He served as a test pilot, helicopter flight instructor, and pilot for the rocket scientist Wernher von Braun.

After retirement from the Army in 1966, Lee flew for another twenty years for the U.S. State Department and private contractors. He was assigned to the Army Mapping Mission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1967-1969) during which time he and fellow pilot, Jack Miller, completed the challenging mission of flying a C-47 airplane from Addison Airport, Dallas, Texas to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In 1970-1971, Lee completed teacher certification at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. He taught math and geography at Mineral Wells High School, Mineral Wells, Texas, for one year. In 1973, a call came to return to flying and Lee became a flight commander at Fort Rucker, Alabama for a private contractor. He flew for another twelve years, until he was sixty-six years old.

From his strong, but unassuming roots in Electra, Lee saw the world. He loved being in the air, but he was equally adept at exploring new territory on foot. Wherever the Army sent him, he could find a lake to fish or game to hunt, not just for sport, but many times for survival. While stationed in Ethiopia, he caught a 153-pound perch in the Gilo River and called headquarters in Addis Ababa to send the C-47 to come pick it up to feed the troops. His love of the outdoors and sizable energy made him a natural adventurer and athlete. His younger sister, Wanda, claimed, "Leroy was always running." He was very competitive, played semi-pro softball (pitcher) after returning from service in World War II and while he was in college. In the late 1950's, while stationed in Fort Greely, Alaska, he pitched a summer solstice softball game. Sixty years later, when asked "Who won?", he replied, "We did, we won!" And then added, "I hit a home run – they never did find that ball." He liked winning and being on the winning team. Throughout his life he was known to instruct others on how to improve their game, whatever that might be (and did not hesitate to correct one's driving skills ).

While in Alaska, Lee also began to bowl. Left-handed, he threw an impressive hook ball and his competitiveness, mostly with himself, kicked in. He loved the game and bowling became part of his life. He bowled on leagues, in tournaments, and "practiced" almost every day until he was in his mid-nineties. He bowled five 300 games and one 800 series in league. In 1987, he won the senior American Bowling Congress championship in the Alabama state tournament.

Like others in his family, Lee had an ear for music, an on-pitch singing voice, and as a young man made several records with his brother-in-law, Bill Oberlender. He was also a talented dancer and charmed many women on the dance floor.

Lee was a faithful student of the Scriptures and was especially interested in Bible prophecy. He gave God the glory for his long, fulfilling life. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, Texas.

For the past several years, Lee was a resident at The Waterford in Fort Worth, an independent senior living community, where he enjoyed the company of his special friend, Doris Moore, and several other good friends. The family would like to thank the Bridgeway Health Services team – Karen, Catherine, and Luther – for their kind and diligent care of Lee, and would also like to thank Lee's assistant, Elaine. Each of them played a vital role in helping Lee maintain his independence and enjoy his home at The Waterford.

Lee is survived by his children Valarie Jean Rodawalt of Carrollton, Texas; Carolyn Sue Stanley (Harold) of Dallas, Texas; Keith Blane Rodawalt (Cindy) of Lewisville, Texas; six grandchildren: Melissa Mitchell (Marcus); Heather McMinn (Jason); Emily Rodawalt; Anthony Rodawalt; Tory Rodawalt; and Taylor Rodawalt; and three great-grandchildren: Mallory McMinn; Amelia McMinn; and Shane Mitchell. Survivors also include his sister, Wanda Bradford of Sherman, Texas; brother David Rodawalt (Debbie) of Port Charlotte, Florida; and sister-in-law, Masel Rodawalt of Electra,Texas; as well as many nieces and nephews.