Leroy Woodrow Vest, 85, a lifelong resident of Lexington and Rockbridge County, died Saturday, April 15 at Heritage Hall in Lexington.

Mr. Vest was born on May 29, 1920 in Charlottesville, Virginia. He had been a kidney dialysis patient since 2000.

He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific campaign during World War II and received the Victory Medal.

He previously worked for Reeves Brothers Company in Buena Vista.

Mr. Vest was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Harrison Vest and his eldest daughter, Carolyn "Rose" Higginbotham.

He is survived by his first wife, Margaret A. Vest of Lexington; two daughters: Karla V. Irving of Harrisonburg, VA; Callie "Nikki" Sowell of Norfolk, VA; two stepdaughters: Gail Harrison Gibson and Dee Harrison Fix; four grandchildren: Kristy Meter, Gary Higginbotham, Tabitha Sowell and Haylie Sowell.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at the Harrison Funeral Home Chapel in Lexington, Va.

Flowers would be appreciated or a donation could be made to the National Kidney Fund to help fund continuing research in the cause and treatment of kidney disease.

Arrangements are being handled by the Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington.