Leroy James (Moe) Morant

Leroy James Morant, 79, of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania passed away suddenly on March 4, 2025, at UPMC East Monroeville Hospital. Leroy was the son of the late Caroletha Morant. Leroy was the eldest of five children. He was affectionately known as "Moe" by all of his family and friends. Leroy met Kennetta Lark at the tender age of thirteen years old and later married her in 1966. From that union they had two sons, James Paul Morant and David Lee Morant. Leroy was employed with US Steel before he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and was Honorably discharged after he completed his term. After returning home from the service Leroy made history by becoming one of the few African American Men in the United States that helped operate the Freedom House Medical Service in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, which was founded in 1967. He was a paramedic for Freedom House and serve the community in every humanitarian way that he could. The history of the Freedom House Medics is still being taught through the history of the United States. Moe worked as a Pennsylvania State Correctional Officer for over twenty years where he retired. Moe was very well known by his family and friends, and he loved telling stories of him playing basketball for the University of Pittsburgh. He often told stories of his time playing basketball and other sports. Leroy later married Kimberly Jackson, together in their marriage they both operate a famous barbeque take out restaurant on Laketon Road in Penn Hills, named King James Barbeque Restaurant. The restaurant was founded in 1992 and was operated by the two of them as well as his mother-in-law and generated over $100,000 annually. Kimberly later passed away in 1998 from Lupus disease at the young age of 35 years old. After the passing of Kimberly, Leroy married Brenda Armstrong. 

Leroy loved his family, and he showed it by supporting them with his time. If it came to having a cook-out at many family functions, he was known to always have at least a slab of ribs nearby. He taught his family to be all that they can be and to succeed in life by carrying yourself with your head held high.

Leroy was the patriarch of the Morant family and leaves to mourn his memory many family and friends. He is survived by his sons, James (Dondret) James Morant and David (Marlene) Lee Morant, grandchildren, Eric, Tamika, Jade, Lailoni, Maurice, David Jr., Jerome, Maricka and Myron, eight great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Leroy was the eldest of all of his siblings who have all preceded him in death, Jerome Morant, Daniel Morant, Sherimina Morant and Mary Ann Morant, as well as his mom, Caroletha Morant.

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