Leroy Phillippi

LeRoy Thomas (also known as Flip or Fichas) Phillippi, of Tres Piedras, New Mexico, passed away on December 15, 2021, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of 90. LeRoy was born Kenneth Leroy Phillippi on November 26, 1931, in his grandparents’ home in Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico, to Keith Phillippi and Maria Cleotilde Prandi y Rael. As he was to be baptized, the priest informed his family that Kenneth was not a saint’s name, and his name was changed from Kenneth to Tomas. Not caring for the first name Tomas, he spent his entire life going by the name LeRoy, French for “The King.”

Growing up, LeRoy’s life was unstable to say the least. His parents divorced when he was 2, and he spent several years living with various family members and non-relatives. At age 7, he was sent to Pueblo, Colorado, to a boarding school/orphanage. He did not speak English and was frightened and confused, upon his arrival. However, like every hardship in life, he made the most of it, playing guard on the school’s football team, and developing many fond memories, particularly after his two oldest brothers, Raul and Medardo followed him to Pueblo. Following his time in the orphanage, LeRoy spent several years in boarding school in El Rito, New Mexico, where he developed his lifelong love of boxing. He then returned to Arroyo Hondo, living with his grandparents and working on the family ranch, Los Bueyes (The oxen), located on the west side of the gorge, and graduated from Taos High in 1950. LeRoy’s grandfather, Melecio Rael, Sr., was the person he admired most, for his work ethic, kindness and decency.

Leroy was a proud veteran of the Army, and served during the Korean conflict with many of his Taos High classmates. Upon his discharge, LeRoy moved to California, where he attended Junior College, graduating from the College of San Mateo, before being offered a boxing scholarship to Idaho State, where he competed, won, graduated, and was on a team that won a NCAA championship. Aside from his family, LeRoy most enjoyed his time at ISU, developing numerous life-long friendships with his teammates on the boxing team, and his fraternity brothers in Phi Kappa Tau.

Upon graduation from college, LeRoy returned to California’s SF Bay Area, and met the love of his life, Loretta Joy Selfa, his wife of 60 years. LeRoy and Loretta had five children together, and although LeRoy was a successful insurance executive, he longed to return to his home, Taos County, New Mexico. He returned in 1971, and spent the last 50 years of his life in Taos and Tres Piedras.

LeRoy had several positions in Taos, including teaching special education, and helping organize the boxing program through the Taos Boys’ Club, but in 1976, he was appointed Executive Director of the Community Action Program, later the Limited Purpose Agency, a community service non-profit, which he led for the next 30 years, providing assistance to numerous Taos County residents, and collaborating with other charitable groups, including Taos Feeds Taos. Most of his clients were native Spanish speakers, and when they would meet him, they would generally attempt to communicate with him in English. He would then speak Spanish to them, and many of the anxieties and stresses simply melted away. They knew he was one of their own. LeRoy, always a believer in supporting his community, worked on the board of Holy Cross Hospital for many years. He was at times, the President of both the Taos Eagles’ Club and the Taos Optimist’s Club, working to provide scholarships to needy Taos students.

In addition to being a stalwart member of his community, LeRoy also spent several seasons broadcasting Taos Tiger Football and Basketball games on KKIT. LeRoy was hardly an objective commentator, directing his outrage at officials, opposing coaches and fans, and anyone else not supporting the Tigers.

In addition to his decades of public service, and his loyalty to his family and friends, LeRoy was a diehard Oakland Raider fan, attending games for many years, and visiting his family in Oakland to see games after they’d returned to Oakland. On many Sundays, friends came to Tres Piedras to watch the Raiders with him. He got around their moves to Los Angeles and Las Vegas by wearing a hat that said only “Raiders.”

When LeRoy left the temporal world, he left behind his wife of 60 years, Loretta, whom he nicknamed “Sparkle” because of how she would light up a room. He left behind his five children, Ken (Marianne), of Oakland, California, Charmaine (Miles) Cloverdale Oregon, Mary of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Martin (Carrie) of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Fox, of Fort Collins, Colorado. He also left 16 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and countless friends and family members who loved him. His funeral was held at Holy Trinity Church in Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, on December 22, 2021, and he was buried in the Rael family cemetery in Arroyo Hondo, high on a hill where he can look down and see his beloved Arroyo Hondo valley for all eternity. He was loved and will be missed by many.

A college scholarship fund will be established in Leroy’s name through TaosMunicipals Schools to benefit needy, deserving Taos High School. If you would liketo continue his dedication to his community, I urge you to contribute to thescholarship fund.  Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com