LeRoy McKinney

LeRoy G. McKinney, age 89, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Dougherty House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Miller Funeral Home – Downtown Chapel (507 S Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD) with family present one hour prior for visitation. Family will have a reception following burial at Graystone Height’s Community Room (5100 S. Graystone Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57108). 

LeRoy was born on March 27, 1935 to Frank and Olivia (Caudel) McKinney in Winner, South Dakota. He attended Winner Public Schools. LeRoy enlisted into the Army and served during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1956. After serving his country, LeRoy farmed in Tripp County for 13 years. He later moved to Sioux Falls where he had resided since 1973.

LeRoy worked as a welder and teaching others to weld for Dual Manufacturing, which was later sold to Woods in 1993. He worked there until his retirement in 2000. After retirement, he continued welding for Alma AMC for some time. 

LeRoy was joined in marriage to Shirley Bucholz on February 8, 1975 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. 

LeRoy was a fun-loving family man that took pride in caring for those he loved. He enjoyed the simple things in life. LeRoy was often found outdoors, even enjoying mowing the lawn as it meant spending time outside. He also enjoyed country westerns, collecting John Wayne and Randolph Scott movies, and loved playing bingo. LeRoy was a life-time member of the VFW and was a former member of Eastside Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. 

Grateful to have shared LeRoy’s life with him are his wife, Shirley McKinney of Sioux Falls, SD; his children, Leland McKinney of Houston, TX, Thomas McKinney of Sioux Falls, SD, Henry (Jennifer) McKinney of Grand Rapids, MN, Connie (Darrel) Grimm of Sioux Falls, SD, and Glenda (Mark) Downs of Hartford, SD; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren too numerous to list. 

He is preceded in death by his children, Christina Weekamp and Donald Risty; his parents, Frank and Olivia McKinney; and his siblings, Clifford, Merle, and Johny McKinny, Doris Clark, and Deloris Gordon.