Tilford “Leroy” Scofield

Tilford “Leroy” Scofield, 86, passed away on March 9, 2019, at his home in Faith, SD.
    Leroy was born at his folk’s ranch house, 5 miles east of Govert, SD, on October 5, 1932. In 1946, his family moved to Newell, where he continued his education. Leroy then moved to Ludlow and worked for 3 years before joining the Army in 1953. He was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany as an Artillery Operations and Intelligence Specialist.
    Leroy married Lois Price in 1961 and moved to the family ranch at Hay Creek where they had three children, Zane, Kay and Jim, before the ranch was sold in 1971.
    On November 20, 1971, Leroy married the love of his life, Jane Ellen Williams. Leroy and Jane lived near Hoover, SD, while Leroy worked at the Burke Ranch and Jane taught at rural area schools including Fishdraw and Cottonwood School. Leroy spent many Friday nights roping at the Mud Butte roping arena, competing in the team roping with various friends. In later years, he particularly enjoyed roping with his son, Jim, at the Newell Labor Day Rodeo.
    In 1977, Leroy and Jane moved to a ranch outside Faith, SD, where Zane, Kay, and Jim graduated high school. Leroy and Jane cherished traveling the rodeo circuit to watch Jim participate in Saddle Bronc riding, and later to watch grandson, Zach, in the Bull Riding. They moved into town in 1985, where Leroy remodeled the current family home.
    Leroy was known by his family for his good cooking and winter stew. He relished the time he could spend rebuilding his chuckwagon and buggies or doing leatherwork. He loved a good joke and retelling them to his friends. His favorite pastime in recent years was playing cribbage or whist at M&D, and occasionally enjoying a drink with friends.
    Leroy was an active member of the VFW for many years, participating in parades and as an honor guard at funerals. He was also involved in the community as a Freemason for over 40 years and was specifically honored to be a member and support charities as a Shriner.
    Survivors include his three children, Zane (Grace) Scofield, New River, AZ, Kay (Don) Veitch, Gilbert, AZ, and Jim (Melissa) Scofield, Belle Fourche; and four grandchildren, Nicole and Zach Scofield, and Jeff and Brianna Veitch.
    He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jane Ellen Scofield; his parents, Herbert Leroy and Signy Adela (Bekken) Scofield; and sister, Dorothy Mae Millslagel.
    Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2019, at the Faith Community Center with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Inurnment for Leroy and Jane will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.