Leroy W. Messick

Leroy W. Messick of Easton, MD died on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at Memorial Hospital at Easton. He was 88. Born November 23, 1919 on Sunset Farm near Kirkham, MD, he was the son of the late Walter and Lottie Smith Messick. After graduating from St. Michaels High School, he worked at the Glenn L. Martin plant in Baltimore. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was appointed to submarine school in New London, CT, and then attended the University of Missouri diesel engineering school for submarines. He served in the Pacific on the USS Bang #385 during World War II. He was a motor machinist mate from 1944 to 1946 and took part in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns. Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he began his own auto mechanic business in Easton, known as Technical Industries, where he remained until retirement. Mr. Messick was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, brother, loyal friend and gentleman. He loved hunting and fishing and was a naturalist and conservationist who was featured in the Sports Afield Hunting Annual 1968 edition titled “Chesapeake Quail Hunt”. He was loyal to his country and very patriotic. He was a charter member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, E.E. Streets Memorial Post 5118 V.F.W and the Talbot Rod and Gun Club where he was Past President and developed the first NRA Hunter Safety Course for Talbot County where he was also an instructor. Other memberships include the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, B.P.O. Easton Elks Lodge 1622, and Ducks Unlimited. Mr. Messick is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Barbara Beacham, whom he married February 19, 1943; his daughter, Dee Mitchell of Denton, MD; a sister, Margaret M. Pope of Easton; two brothers, Jack S. Messick of Royal Oak and Joseph P. Messick of Mechanicsville, MD; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one sister, Ann Stansburg; three brothers, Charles Messick, Robert Messick and James Messick; and a very special son-in-law, Steven D. Mitchell. Services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Hospital Palliative Care Unit, c/o Memorial Hospital Foundation, PO Box 1846, Easton, MD 21601 or the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, 5040 Virginia Beach Blvd, Suite 104A, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, MD.