Earle LeRoy Overstreet

Earle LeRoy Overstreet (LeRoy), age 89, left this life on December 12, 2025. His last few days were spent surrounded by the family he loved. He was born on August 8, 1936 in Coleman, OK, to Vester Frazier and Dolly Mae Tabitha Jane Overstreet.

LeRoy spent most of his childhood and teen years trying to find as much trouble to get into as possible, quite often with his brothers. It wasn't until he met and fell madly in love with Nedra Thorderson that he decided that his trouble-making days were over. She stole his heart from the day he met her and he considered himself the luckiest man alive when she agreed (after 5 years of his trying to convince her) to be his wife. They were married on May 31, 1962 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. LeRoy and Nedra set an example of a true love story for their children and posterity that is already legendary.

After graduating from Chandler High School in Chandler, AZ, he found a way (refer to earlier reference of trouble-making) to join the US Navy at 17 years old. He served his time mostly on an aircraft carrier at the end of the Korean Conflict, and found time to be on the Navy's boxing team. After his days in the Navy, he arrived in Utah to play football and begin his college education at Weber Junior College, where he was an All-American football player as a defensive end. He also punted. He continued oxing during this time and fought his way to the national Golden Gloves semi-final match in Chicago, IL as a heavyweight. Weber is where he met Nedra, when he helped her fix her stuck locker.

After graduating from Weber, LeRoy went on to Brigham Young University where he finished his bachelor's degree, continued playing football, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (May 1961), and proposed to Nedra.

He continued his education, getting his Masters degree from the University of Utah, and his doctorate from West Virginia University. He spent his career as a professor, coach and athletic director at many universities across the country. He finished his career in Laie, HI at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. He and Nedra then retired to American Fork, UT to spend the rest of their days near their daughters and their families. During his retirement he found he had a hard time sitting still, and quickly found ways to stay busy.

He became a Ranger at Timpanogos Caves and spent time volunteering at several golf courses.
LeRoy and Nedra were the parents to four children: Jeffrey Brian, Karen Renee, Andrea, and Gaylyne. Although Jeffrey died at a very young age, his three daughters grew up adoring their daddy. He was such a proud father, often talking about "his girls" to anyone who was willing to listen.

It's fair to say that LeRoy never met a stranger, and that everyone he met and befriended loved him right back (except, of course, anyone who might have had the misfortune of a hand injury after one of his "firm" handshakes). He taught his family to think the best of everyone, respect differences in others (and never let those differences get in the way of a friendship), and respect for many different cultures. He also modeled hard work and good, gospel living.

LeRoy was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served faithfully in many callings, including Scout Master, Executive Secretary, and Bishop. He and "Neddie" served four missions together for the church, one teaching Institute at the University of Florida, and three to the Washington D.C. Temple. They welcomed anyone and everyone into their home and treated them as their own. As a result, they have countless "adopted" children.

LeRoy loved learning and reading, playing sports of every kind (football, basketball, golf, track & field, and softball, to name just a few). He especially loved reading about and studying the gospel. According to him, he had a lot of catching up to do as he didn't serve a mission as a young man (since he didn't join the church until near the end of college).

He also loved mysteries, word searches, country music, and a good Western. LeRoy is survived by his daughters, Karen Pedersen (Dan), Andrea Reading (Scott) and Gaylyne Gneiting (Tom); his eight grandchildren, Korinne Roberts (Rick), Easton Pedersen (Daysha), Tannon Pedersen (Brookley), Dawson Pedersen (Paige), Jeffrey Reading (Hannah), Tiana Reading, Carter Reading, and Griffin Hadlock; and his fourteen great-grandchildren, Daci, Livvi, Street, Stade, Sage, Baylor, Cove, Lark, Palmer, Oaks, Quincy, Maverick, Madden and Rush. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nedra Thorderson, his father, Vester, his mother, Dolly, his siblings Elizabeth (Garl), Floyd, Lloyd, Dalton (Michal), Lynn (Claudia), Ruby Joyce (Dale); and by his son, Jeffrey Brian Overstreet.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 19 at 11 am at the American Fork North Stake Center (970 N 60 E, American Fork, UT). There will be a viewing prior from 9:30-10:45 am.