Lee Roy E. Veland

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, Lee Roy Ernest Veland, 77, of Weslaco, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home in Weslaco, TX. 

Lee Roy Veland was born on February 1, 1946, at 21 degrees below zero in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  Ernest W. Veland and Mary Steinwand Veland raised him on their farm in rural Ellendale, North Dakota.  He attended Albion Country School until the seventh grade, then Ellendale ISD Jr. High School until 1959.  His family relocated to Weslaco, Texas, in the fall of 1959, where they owned and maintained the Weslaco Hotel until 1969.  During that period, he attended WHS before returning to North Dakota to farm with his father until the fall of 1969. He returned to Weslaco and worked for Sherry Barbee until 1979.  Lee Roy then purchased Mid Valley Wrecker from Dan Callaway of Weslaco Motors and served the community with his services for over 20 years before selling it and going to work for Weslaco Motors / Payne Auto Group. He was recently awarded Salesman of the Century and was ecstatic to have been given this Title; Lee Roy worked for Payne Auto Group for over 35 years and loved what he did. He enjoyed his Bible study group and would love to know that it will be carried on for years to come.

Lee Roy has made quite an impact on the community here in the Rio Grande Valley.

He spent a lot of his time volunteering for various fundraising events and was a member of the Weslaco Elks Lodge, Lions Club (Melvin Jones Award), Ducks Unlimited, and Kairos Prison Ministry.  He was awarded the Conservationist of the Year award from CCA where he served for over 40 years as one of the original founding members formerly known as GCCA. He sure did enjoy fishing and hunting in earlier years along with racing stock cars.

Lee Roy was an amazing man that planted a seed in everyone he met. The love he had for the Lord did not end with his passing. He rejoiced in sharing the word with all. It is not improbable to say his purpose in life was to carry others closer to God. Lee Roy loved his children Josh (Monica), Jason (Isela), Laura (RJ) and 8 grandchildren (Joshua Jr, Anica, Alesi, Jennakah, Eian, Ryan, Reed and Raegan. He was expecting his first great-grandson in July who would be taking part in his namesake “Walker Lee Roy” (Joshua Jr and Jasmine) Lee Roy’s daughter was the apple of his eye and took pride and joy in sharing his love of cooking with her.

Lee Roy cherished spending time with his loved ones and enjoyed barbecuing. Lee Roy was a master of BBQ!  He supported and provided food for numerous churches, Boy Scouts, and school fundraisers, including one for his daughter's 2nd-grade class at Margo Elementary to fund a trip to Florida's Disney World.

His biggest love, other than God and his family, was taking long rides on his B.M.W. motorcycles.  With the exception of six mid-eastern states, he traveled 7800 miles here and there and up and down the highway to every state. 

He is a man who was a great father, mentor, and friend to many here in the RGV and surrounding areas. He never met a stranger that didn’t become a friend. He will be terribly missed, but he will always be remembered. Lee Roy lived a wonderful life and was deeply loved. Lee Roy would want his life to be celebrated and his Legacy to be carried on.

Lee Roy is preceded in death by his father Ernest, mother Mary, baby Lee Roy Veland, his brother Larry, and niece Leah Veland. Left to cherish his memory are his three stepchildren, Josh (Monica), Jason (Isela), Laura (RJ), eight grandchildren Joshua Jr, Anica, Alesi, Jennakah, Eian, Ryan, Reed and Raegan, special friend Lala (Maria Uribe), his cousin, Paul Veland, who felt more like a brother, the rest of the Veland Family in North Dakota and as well as many other relatives and friends who will deeply miss him.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, there will be a visitation from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mercedes, followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. In addition, on Wednesday, June 21, there will be a visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mercedes, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m.   The Weslaco Elks Lodge will host a reception in Lee Roy Veland’s honor.

Pallbearers will be Josh, Joshua, Jason, Eian, RJ, Ryan, Reed and Louis.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church School in Mercedes or the Aurora House Foundation in Weslaco. 

He will be taken back home to Ellendale North Dakota where he will be laid to rest in eternal peace.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco.