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DAYTON — The widow of the aerobatics pilot killed in a crash at last year's Vectren Dayton Air Show has made an emotional return to Dayton to attend this weekend's air show.

Joanie LeRoy, the widow of pilot Jim LeRoy, cradled the couple's 4-year-old son, Tommy, on her lap as she spoke Friday, July 18, at a news conference in the air show's office at Dayton International Airport.

"Coming back this year, yes, we are a little bit emotional today," she said.

During the past year, Tommy has played soccer and T-ball and learned to swim as the Lake City, Fla., family adjusted to the pilot's death.

"Getting back to happy is difficult. You have to work at it. You have to be mature," Joanie LeRoy, 47, said. "We've gotten back to happy."

Tommy turns 5 next week and will start kindergarten in the fall.

The first air show the mother and son attended after LeRoy's death was in January this year at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. That was emotionally difficult because Jim LeRoy had helped produce it in the past, his widow said.

She and air show officials joined on Friday in a tribute to the pilot's aviation achievements by announcing that a Sinclair Community College aviation student will receive a $2,000 scholarship in LeRoy's name. Shawn Riffee, a Zanesville, Ohio, resident, is to be given the scholarship award on Saturday, the air show's first day.

"The fact that Jim died at Dayton, and it's an aviation community, that has a lot to do with it," Joanie LeRoy said in explaining why she supported the scholarship award in Dayton. She said people in the Dayton area were gracious in how they responded to the pilot's death, including sending condolences to the family.

"Jim was passionate about aviation, passionate about air shows," said Brenda Kerfoot, the Dayton show's general manager. "We feel that this is the best way to extend it to the next generation."

After LeRoy's death, Vectren Corp., the air show and others contributed to a memorial fund in support of the pilot's son. The fund has raised $80,000 so far, officials said Friday.

Those wishing to contribute can send donations to: The Jim LeRoy Jr. Memorial Fund, c/o Harris Bank, 110 E. Irving Park Road, Roselle, IL 60172. Questions about the fund should be directed to Harris Bank at (630) 980-2700.

Joanie LeRoy said she learned over the years to understand her husband's passion for flying.

"He was driven to fly, to fly on the edge, to live on the edge. He just loved excitement, adrenaline — that's just who he was.

"We knew that there was not a lot of room for error in his maneuvers. He loved that," she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Vectren Dayton Air Show

Operating hours: Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20; main acts start at 11 a.m.

Tickets: Can be bought at the gate.

Parking: On grounds, $7 per car or $20 per bus or recreational vehicle.

Rides: The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will provide express shuttle service to the air show from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, where people can park. The park-n-ride service costs $3 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Children 5 and under may ride free with a paid adult.