LeRoy (Roy) Cakerice

AMES — LeRoy (Roy) Harold Cakerice, 90 passed away July 7, 2024 in Ames.  

   Visitation will be Thursday, July 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church (516 Kellogg Ave., Ames) in the Multipurpose Room. Roy’s Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 12 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.  Following the service there will be refreshments and a dessert bar.  Private Interment will be later. 

   Roy was born in Hardin County on Dec. 25, 1933 at his grandparents’ farmhouse to Carrie and Kenneth Cakerice. He was the eldest son of three boys. He attended country school in Grundy County and junior and high school in Eldora. He participated in football, track and choir. He then went on to study at Simpson College in 1952-1956 to receive a BA in Science and Education. In 1969, he received his master’s degree in science and elementary principles at Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

Roy met his spouse, Myrna Jean Williams, while detasseling. They got married in 1959 at the Church of Christ in Union. They adopted two daughters, Denise in 1964 and Kristine in 1967. Their son, Troy, was born in 1972.   They also fostered children in their home.

   Roy was an eighth-grade teacher at the Conrad School District.  He was also a sixth-grade teacher in the Grundy Center School District and a sixth-grade teacher at Roosevelt and Sawyer Elementary Schools in the Ames Community School District.   He received the State of Iowa Teacher of the Year Award in Environmental Education.  He wrote curriculum for environmental education for the Iowa State Extension Services.  He was a life member of the National Teacher’s Association and the Iowa Teacher’s Association. After retiring from teaching in 1995, Roy continued working and was active in his community.  He worked for two years in the Photopheresis section (DNA) Monsanto Laboratory.  Roy was on the Ames Community School Board for seven years.  During his tenure he was involved with several significant capital projects, including the construction of the Ames Middle School.   He supervised student teachers through Iowa State University in elementary education for 11 years.  He also did federal math testing throughout the state and was a substitute teacher. Roy loved to give back to students.  He donated pumpkins and toys to multiple schools.  In addition, he would organize, collect and deliver clothing and books for the Indian Reservations in South Dakota. Roy enjoyed taking youth to Canada for educational fishing trips. 

   Roy and his family enjoyed the summers operating a farm including strawberries, sweet corn, and pumpkins in Wellsburg for more than 15 years. Roy was an avid gardener and enjoyed taking care of the flowers at his church.  He loved spending time with family and took them on many trips to Hawaii and annual trips to Door County, Wisconsin for over 45 years where he was able to fish on Green Bay. Roy was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Ames. He enjoyed singing in the choir and soloing for services. 

   Roy is survived by his wife, Myrna Cakerice; his children, Denise Tjarks (Jon) of Lahaina, Hawaii, Kristine Cakerice of Ames and Troy (Jennifer) Cakerice of Ames; his grandchildren, Dustin (Alexandra) Cakerice, Ashlynn Cakerice (Andres), Kayla Cakerice, Cole Cakerice, and great-grandson Jace Mendoza.

   Roy was preceded in the death by his parents, Kenneth and Carrie Cakerice; two brothers, Howard Cakerice and Jay Cakerice.  

   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Sawyer Elementary or Northwood Pre-School.

   Roy was loved by all.  He had a positive impact in many people’s lives.  His selfless character shined through his acts of service.  His passion for family, church, and community will be greatly missed.

   Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com