Leroy Keiffer

About Participant

Date of Participation: 09/04/2064
Age at Participation: 78
Most Cherished Memory: Getting remarried to Mary.
Favorite Item or Idea: Cars going fast in a circle (Nascar).
What I’m Most Proud of: Serving my community.
Hope for the Future: A world where everyone has pets that live forever.

Leroy was a dedicated man to his family, community, and country.

When Leroy was on one of his regular routes, he had a heart attack on duty as a garbage man, Leroy then took an early retirement.

He tried to spend the rest of his days at home with his wife, Mary.

Two years later and numerous hospital visits, Mary was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Surgery was very risky, and it would likely result in her death.

Leroy, in his old age was unable to care for his wife anymore. She was transferred to her family where she spent her remaining time hundreds of miles away from Leroy.

She died surrounded by her family in the rebuilt version of her former childhood home in Illinois.

Leroy was left with his two dogs, Ziggy and Duchy. Daily tasks soon became a very difficult thing for him. This is when his grandson moved in with Leroy.

After his grandson moved in, one of Leroy’s dogs became extremely ill. Ziggy, a Shiba Inu fought a long battle but eventually succumbed to her cancer. Leroy buried her in the backyard. His grandson recounts him laying there for nearly two days straight. Mourning the loss of his companion.

Less than a year later his other dog, Duchy, a dirty brown golden retriever, was diagnosed with heart disease. She was put down and buried in the backyard next to Ziggy.

Leroy suffered significant mental and physical health decline after all these events.

Despite doctors orders, he continued to drink alcohol and coffee every day while having the occasional cigarette.

Leroy was stubborn as all hell, but a decent man. Refusing to give up what little pleasures he had left.

One day, after a long shift at work, his grandson came home to his grandfather in his recliner. Cigarette hanging from his mouth.

It wasn’t immediately obvious that his grandfather was close to death.

After being rushed to the hospital, Leroy received emergency treatment.

His heart was failing, he didn’t have a lot of time left.

After barely being stabilized, the doctors advised he participate in the End of Life program while he still could.

Leroy agreed and was transferred to an End of Life facility and successfully participated in the End of Life program.

He is now buried next to his wife, Mary in Illinois.

Leroy was a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and suffered a head injury early in life leading to several complications.

Despite this, he enjoyed fishing with his grandson in the lake behind his home, a good discount, and a long nap.

Although his relationship wasn’t the greatest with his loved ones, he made a conscious effort in improving the wrongs he had committed in his life.

His grandson likes to envision him in another life with his dogs, Ziggy and Duchy playing while he enjoys a cold beer with his wife on a beach somewhere in Florida.