LeRoy Tatum

LeRoy Tatum

McCLURE, Ill. -- LeRoy "Ro-Ho" Tatum, age 56, of East Cape Girardeau, Ill., died at 10:52 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 6, 1952, in Tamms, Ill., to Clyde and Anna May (Dillman) Tatum. He married Karen McKee on June 22, 1976. She survives him.

LeRoy was a member of Elks Lodge No. 639 in Cape Girardeau. He was president of the McClure-East Cape Fire Board and served as a volunteer firefighter. He was affiliated with Russ' Truck & Auto. He loved music, boating, fishing and most of all spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of East Cape Girardeau; a son, Willie (Jackie) Tatum of Cape Girardeau; a granddaughter, Courtney Tatum, of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Kathryn (Charlie) Provow of West Plains, Mo.; two brothers, Clyde (Janice) Tatum Jr. of Tamms and Billy (Rosa Marie) Tatum of Thebes, Ill.; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Leonard Tatum; and three sisters, Carolyn Kee, Evelyn Jost and Karen Kennedy.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ronnie Brown officiating. Interment will be in Lindsey Cemetery.

To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.