Walter (Roy) Leroy Carlyle of North Platte, born January 28, 1927, in Giltner, NE, to Frank and Clara (Reab) Carlyle, died July 22, 2015, at the Golden Living Center in Cozad, NE.
Walt served in the United States Navy 1944-1945, and one of his proudest moments was participating in a Flight of Honor to the WWII monument in Washington, DC in 2009. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for 42 years as a Conductor and Brakeman. He was very active in the Old Timers Club and served as President in the mid 70’s. He volunteered at the Golden Spike Tower in North Platte for several years. Walt spent countless hours working at the Lincoln County Museum restoring old equipment and farm machinery. His biggest project was restoring a ditch plow and he received a commendation from the American Association for State and Local History after completion in 2000.
He was the best neighbor, always willing to help out with anything that was needed. After each snowstorm, he could be found outside, plowing driveways for other residents of Apache Drive. In 2006, Walt participated in numerous volunteer activities for the North Platte Canteen celebration. He was a life-long learner taking many adult enrichment classes. He was extremely creative, and there was nothing he couldn’t build or fix. He always had several projects of all kinds going at once. To view his shop was to know the real Walter. Magic was created there as he built the most amazing and beautiful items and restored cast offs to glory. Walt had a green thumb and his yard abounded with growing wonders. He loved birds, in particular his martens, who happily returned to his yard year after year.
Mr. Carlyle was also a sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing and won many awards in scuba diving competitions. He and his wife owned Roy’s Dive Shop for several years in Grand Island, and taught scubadiving certification classes. With his family, he enjoyed camping, boating and exploring, especially at Lake McConaughy. He will be missed at the “breakfast club” by his dear friends.
His loving wife, Rogene, predeceased him in February of this year.
Mr. Carlyle is survived by his 3 children: Terrylene Wheeler (Bruce), Cristy Jokerst (William), and Danny Carlyle (Shirley), 5 grandchildren: Jennie Karros (Jim), Jesse Carlyle, Jamie Carlyle (Leah), Mitchell and Samuel Wheeler, his sister Betty Shuman and his brother Kenneth Carlyle.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2015 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Ne. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to Bryan Alzheimer’s Research Center, 710 West Main Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701 or The North Platte Senior Center, 901 East 10th Street, North Platte, NE. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.