Long time Alaska resident Leland “Leroy” Gannaway, 94, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Veterans and Pioneer Home in Palmer on November 25, 2025.

Leroy was born August 10, 1931 in Milton-Freewater, Oregon to Roy and Belle Gannaway. After graduating high school he joined the United States Air Force in 1951 with four friends. They choose the Air Force because the brochure had a swimming pool with ladies around it. Of course, they never saw either! He served during the Korean War and was stationed in Europe for three years where he took care of two F-86 Sabre American Air Fighters. He also traveled frequently to North Africa and received the National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal during his service time. In September 2014 he was awarded a quilt from Forget Me Not Quilts of Valor and in April 2015, he was selected to participate in the Last Frontier Honor Flight. After the war Leroy attended Oregon Institute of Technology and received a Technicial Associates degree in Auto Body and Fender Repair. He was working at Pollard Motors in Milton­Freewater when he met Rachel McCann. They were married April 7, 1962. In early 1969 he saw a slide show of Homer, Alaska. Leroy, Rachel and their two daughters arrived in Homer on May 19, 1969. He worked at Alaska Seafoods and HI-North Marine Supply 1969-1975, the City of Homer 1975-1980, and his favorite job, due to his gift of gab, Spenard Builders Supply 1980 until retirement in 1996.

Leroy was a very active community member in Homer. He served as the Port/Harbor Commissioner Feb 1973-Sept 1975, the Homer Advisory Planning Commissioner July 1987-June 2002, and Homer’s Representative on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission Oct 1990-July 2001. He also served on the South Peninsula Hospital’s Service Area Board for 25 years. The hospitals cafeteria is dedicated to him because he always enjoyed the food and he could eat for free the first Thursday of every month. He was also a dedicated member of the American Legion Post 16 with 65 years of continuous membership.

Leroy and Rachel bought a motorhome in 2000 and became Snowbirds. In 2008 they decided that it was time to settle down again and moved to Wasilla. He than made the move to Palmer in 2024.

Leroy enjoyed trap shooting, bowling, fishing, and playing cards. He will always be remembered for his never-ending supply of jokes, his great sense of humor and playfulness, his ever-ready wit and charm, his congeniality and comradery, his generosity and candidness, his leadership and chairmanship, and most of all, his handshake that never knew a stranger. Leroy is survived by daughters Anna Dunbar (Franklyn), and Jody Moore (Marcus); grandchildren Franklyn II and Rachel Dunbar; Sean, Leland “Wyatt” and Amelia Moore; and many others who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Belle Gannaway; brothers, Bruce and Dan Gannaway; and his loving wife, Rachel.