Troy Lee Church

Troy Lee Church, 84, of Toledo, WA, passed away on December 30, 2024, at Providence Hospital in Centralia, WA. Troy was born on September 12, 1940, in Keystone, West Virginia, to Oscar and Elsie Church.

Troy attended school in Keystone, West Virginia and Mossyrock, WA. He liked to say that he was a jack of all trades and master of none. His first line of work was managing bowling alleys and repairing all the machinery. Later he spent several years as a heavy equipment operator, mostly a Letourneau Log Stacker for Weyerhaeuser. In addition to driving for private companies, for a time, he owned and operated his own trucking company hauling containers all over the western United States. Troy was probably best known for the towing company and wrecking yard which he owned and operated for several years.

Troy was passionate about Model A cars and was actively involved as the Technical Advisor in the Cowlitz Valley Model A Club where he volunteered many hours repairing the Model A’s of his member friends. In addition to all the local small-town parades, he also arranged many Model A tours, including to Yellowstone National Park, Grants Pass, Oregon, Crescent City, California and Grand Coulee, Washington.

Troy never met a stranger and was always ready to help anyone in need. His generosity and willingness to assist anyone had a positive impact on the lives of so many others.

Troy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Verna Church; his children Debbie Eldredge (Jeff), Wayne Church (Jean), Tracy Koher (Kelly); numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; his brother, Carl Church, and sisters, Dorothy Mills and June Painter. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Cecil Church, sisters Betty Christensen, Rita Laudenbach, Linda Hill, and many dear friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 1pm at the Cowlitz Prairie Grange on Jackson Highway in Toledo. A potluck will follow, and everyone is welcome.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Toledo and Winlock emergency medical responders for their compassionate care.