LeRoy Elvin Onstott

A Mighty Cedar From Yakima Valley

LeRoy Elvin Onstott was born in Ione, Washington July 23, 1931, to William Orrin Onstott and Mary Victory Onstott (nee Roitz). The oldest of two sons, LeRoy, spent his youth in the land of apples and, later, vineyards. He had a special interest in music in his high school years, playing flute and saxophone in the marching band. He graduated high school in 1949 and attended community college before joining the Air Force spending his time during the Korean War stateside, 1951-54. He met and married the lovely Helen Polanco Estrada while stationed at Norton AFB in San Bernardino, California, November 27, 1954. She precedes him in death (October 21, 2013). They had 7 children, 6 sons and 1 daughter: William Andrew (Orlena), Joseph Ignatius (Ashley), Paul Augustine (Annette), Charles Frederick (Wendy), Elizabeth Orstam (Bjorn), Jerome Phillip (Teresa), and Patrick Aaron (Christine). Patrick also precedes LeRoy (January 6, 2023, following a battle with cancer). He is also preceded in death by his brother, Marvin.

After his service in the Air Force, LeRoy continued working in the defense industry, primarily for the ICBM readiness of the Peacekeeper and Minuteman missile systems. Work that he was committed to with a strong sense of pride earning several “Zero Defects” awards through his years at Hill AFB in Ogden, Utah.

LeRoy enjoyed many hobbies and interests from assembling plastic model kits (WWII aircraft) to model trains and later traveling with his wife to holy sites in Europe and the Holy Land. The great outdoors held a special place in his heart, whether hunting and fishing in the mountains of Utah to gardening in his back yard in East Layton. A special past time was traveling with Helen in their trailer to the National Parks and to see their children and their families. In his quiet time he especially loved collecting stamps, which was a way to stay connected to the many different countries he and Helen had visited. He was always generous with his time in service to his community and to his parish, St. Rose of Lima, in Layton, Utah. He served as mayor of East Layton city and on several committees at St. Rose of Lima parish which included choir, parish council and as scout leader of the St. Rose Boy Scout Troop 86. He was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus serving 55 years and attaining the rank of 4th degree. He was known for his tinkering, a pursuit he garnered from his father, always busy repairing or creating things in wood and varnish.

He passed away on December 17, 2025, after a brief illness at the age of 94. He is survived by 5 sons and his daughter as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 300 E. 11800 So, Draper, Utah. Friends may visit family on Sunday evening, December 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. A Vigil with Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. Interment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to your favorite charity or the Catholic Community Services in Salt Lake City.