In memory of the affable and empathetic Leroy Timm

By Darrell Kerby

Leroy Timm passed away earlier this week at Boundary Community Hospital after a long and courageous battle with health challenges.

If success in life were measured by material wealth or possessions, some might say Leroy came up short. But if it’s measured by the warmth of your smile, the sincerity of your greetings, the friendships you nurture, and the quiet, unsolicited acts of kindness you offer—then Leroy was an extraordinary success by any measure.

Though Leroy lived much of his life without close family, he was never alone. His life was rooted in service to others, and the ripples of his generosity reached far and wide. One example close to my heart was his deep friendship with my mother-in-law, Elaine Guthrie, who at 96 had long given up driving. Every Friday, Leroy made sure she could still gather at the Senior Center to enjoy lunch and play cards with her “crew.” Beyond that, he’d often stop by her home just to chat—offering her not just company, but connection to the hum of the community and its goings-on.
And Elaine was far from the only one. Leroy quietly provided rides to medical appointments, even as far as Coeur d’Alene, for anyone in need—never for recognition, just because he could.

For many years, Leroy served the Boundary County School District as a custodian. In the hallways and classrooms, he wasn’t just a staff member—he was a friend, a constant, and a trusted presence. He forged bonds with students, teachers, and especially fellow custodians, including his dear friends Phil and Bill Tritt.

To know Leroy was to respect him. And though he lacked a family in the traditional sense, his community of friends, neighbors, and those he quietly helped now mourn his absence deeply.

From a grateful community, we say: thank you, Leroy. For your kindness, your humility, and your steady presence. You lived a good life. Rest in peace, dear friend, and may God bless you with eternal peace.