Leroy "Lee" Richard Bernhardt

Leroy Richard Bernhardt

July 27, 1934 – February 28, 2025

Leroy Richard “Lee” Bernhardt went home to be with the Lord on February 28, 2025 being surrounded by loved ones at Fairacres Manor in Greeley.  Lee was born on July 27, 1934 to Benjamin and Esther Bernhardt in Dent, Colorado. 

Lee worked on the family farm in Milliken and graduated from Milliken High School in 1953.  Lee attended University of Northern Colorado, graduating in 1957.  After graduation from UNC, he taught Driver’s Education and coached basketball at Milliken High School.

Lee was drafted in the United States Army in 1958 being stationed in White Sands, New Mexico. After a two year tour, he was discharged, only to be drafted again a short time later. 

After his second tour, he returned to Milliken and started Lee’s Used Cars, where he sold cars, car parts, and provided painting service until he retired in 2013.

Lee’s passion was collecting arrowheads, reading the local newspapers and the “Wall Street Journal” for all his stocks he invested.  He also enjoyed running to the river next to his property in Milliken, and cheering on his favorite sports teams including the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors.  He also enjoyed taking trips to Blackhawk and Las Vegas.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Esther Bernhardt, his brother Delbert Bernhardt, his brother-in-law Dave Bjoralt, his son James Bernhardt, and his grandson Daniel Bernhardt.

Lee is survived by his wife Sharon Bernhardt, sister Charlotte Bjoralt, brother Herb Bernhardt, sister-in-law Pat Bernhardt, children Constance (Don) Schmidt and Carol Ann (Lee) Serna, daughter-in-law Lynn Bernhardt, stepsons Leiton (Angel) Powell and Loren (Tina) Powell, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are being held on March 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Adamson’s Funeral Home in Greeley, and internment services to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley.