Leroy “Blood” Youngblood of Donora, died at the age of 75, at his home surrounded by his loving family on May 22, 2022. Leroy was born to Edward “Cash” Youngblood and Azalie Thompson Youngblood on Nov. 9, 1946, in York County, S.C. He was raised by his grandparents, the late Edward and Janie Thompson, whom he lovingly called “Big Momma” and “Big Daddy.” His early education was in the Rock Hill School system until his freshmen year. He came to West Newton in 1961 to be with his mother and was a part of the Youghiogheny football team. He received certification in auto body and fender repair while attending Youngwood Vocational School. After completion, he was hired by Village Mercury, Monongahela, and also worked at the William R. Taylor Funeral Home, Monessen. He was employed as a scarfer at the Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, Allenport plant, and retired from there after working 33 years. In 2020, he came out of retirement to work for Pathways Agency With Choice as a SSP staff person, where he worked until his health began to decline. Leroy was an avid sportsman who boxed out of the Charleroi Athletic Club gym under the tutelage of Bruno Pucci, George Humphries, Henry Smith and manager Andrew “Buzz” Garnic. Leroy won two Golden Gloves and a diamond belt during his time in the ring prior to turning professional. He also excelled on the golf course and was a member of the Washington, Pa.-based Swinger’s Golf Club, where he won several of the club’s out-of-state and in-state tournaments. Leroy always said his greatest joy was winning The Valley Independent Golf Tournament at Riverview Golf Course. Leroy went on to explain why to sports reporter Jeff Oliver who interviewed him after his win. He told of the hardships he encountered attempting to play on the segregated links of his birthplace as a teenager; where he talked of only being permitted to wash golf balls and caddy. He told the reporter in the article that he would slip back to the course and practice at dusk and perfected his technique then. Leroy’s average was 66. Several years later, on a return to the course, he was not permitted to golf on as a young man as he received a welcome on their marquee. Leroy was known for his love of good food (especially his sister’s peach cobbler), his family, his grandchildren, gardening, wrist watches, sunglasses and all things purple. Leroy was welcomed into heaven by his father, Cash Youngblood; stepfather, Mason Crosby; mother, Azalie Crosby; beloved grandmother, Eustele Falls; brothers Edward and Robert Youngblood, William and Albert Crosby; and sisters, Janie Johnson Connor and Mary Crosby. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; two devoted children, Peri Leroy and Dionne Youngblood Gill; nine grandchildren, Zachary Youngblood of Womelsdorf, Pa., Peri Leroy II of Washington, Trei and Dakota Youngblood, Caleb Calloway and Rian Morris of Donora, Cole and Connor Youngblood of Herminie, Raven-Simone (Jaleel) Demery of Savannah, Ga.; and stepmother, Martha Youngblood of Gastonia, N.C.; brothers, Leroy Preston Tate of North Carolina, Mason and Otis Crosby of Monessen and Bobby Crosby of Greensburg; one sister, Rosie Crosby of West Newton; and three great-grandchildren, Jordan, Nova and Elijah. He is also survived by his uncle Robert Youngblood of King’s Mountain, N.C.; godchildren, Morgan Diggs and Zerick Howard; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom he dearly loved. Leroy rededicated himself to the Lord on Nov. 21, 2021, and attended his church’s services via Zoom until his passing. He was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, where he previously served on the usher board and was the church’s van driver for a number of years. A memorial service will be held at the church at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022, with the Rev. Lee A. Haney Sr. officiating. Interment for the immediate family will be held at Mon Valley Memorial Park. Family and friends are asked to join them at “The Ave on Thompson,” where they will be received by the family for a continuation of the celebration of the life and legacy of Leroy “Blood” Youngblood. Arrangements entrusted to WILLIAM R. TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 645 McMahon Ave., Monessen, PA 15062, 724-684-4877, Trudy L. Taylor, funeral director. The family wishes to thank Anova Health Care for the care they provided and to Cheryl Kinds. Leroy’s family will be forever indebted to you.
