1926-2024
On October 28, 2024, at the age of 97, Glenn LeRoy passed away peacefully at his Manor Park home in Midland, Texas. He was born November 30, 1926, in Great Bend, Kansas, to parents Roy and Lillie LeRoy who preceded him in death as well as three sisters Elverta Yahne, Donna Clark, and Shirley Stephenson. Glenn was survived by his wife of 63 years Lorna LeRoy, sister Marylin Cooper and her husband Gary Cooper, son Dan LeRoy, daughter-in-law Bethany LeRoy, two adoring grandchildren Madison LeRoy and Parker LeRoy, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Glenn grew up on a farm near Great Bend during the 1930’s Dust Bowl. For many years, he worked on the family farm and also hired out to other local farmers for a whopping $1 a day. He spent his formative years at a small country school through the 8th grade and then attended Great Bend High School, where he played football and excelled academically.
In January 1944, Glenn enlisted in the Navy and began active service six months later–after graduating from high school. While serving in the Navy, he was stationed in Topeka, Kansas, then in Great Lakes, Illinois, and finally in Ft Pierce, Florida, where he trained in underwater demolition. While stationed in Topeka, he attended Washburn University, courtesy of the US Navy. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in January 1946, Glenn attended Kansas State University for a bit and then returned to Great Bend to work on the family farm.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Glenn operated a custom wheat harvesting business in addition to his own farming, cutting wheat for customers from Burkburnett, Texas, to eastern Colorado and even into Wyoming in some years. Glenn returned to college at the University of Denver business school in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Since he was still actively involved in farming, he attended classes during the winter months while also taking full advantage of the skiing opportunities Colorado had to offer.
Ultimately, Colorado ended up offering much more than just skiing and an education for Glenn. It was there in Denver where he met Lorna Miller, who had moved from Iowa to Denver to teach school. The two shared a deep commitment for one another, as well as serendipitously the same birthday—November 30th (six years apart)—and were married in Denver on January 29, 1961.
About a year later, the LeRoys joyfully welcomed their only child Dan into the world on January 11, 1962, in Great Bend, Kansas. Glenn was extremely supportive and actively involved in his son’s life, assisting with various 4-H projects, playing one-on-one basketball with his wicked hook shot, and attending middle and high school football and basketball games and track meets. This proud dad was often found donning Kansas State purple and Notre Dame green and navy in support of his only child’s alma maters. Most importantly, as a father, he passed on a legacy of hard work, integrity, family first, and commitment not only to his son Dan but also to his grandchildren who will pass on these indelible values to generations to come.
For more than 65 years, Glenn faithfully farmed and ranched in central Kansas near Great Bend and eastern Kansas near Madison. To help financially support his passion for farming and ranching, he was a jack of all trades as an insurance agent, a real estate agent and appraiser, a car salesman, and an oil and gas operator.
A few years after retiring, Glenn and Lorna made the move to Midland, TX in June 2011, to be closer to their grandchildren and Glenn’s baby sister Shirley. Even though Glenn was a man of few words and veered away from the spotlight, he absolutely adored his grandchildren. He quietly and supportively sat through Madi’s softball games and volleyball matches and Parker’s performances and musicals, all the while beaming with pride. Being a Kansas farmer in the brutal elements for over 65 years can toughen up a guy, but loving on his grandchildren definitely softened Grampa.
In 2022, the LeRoys moved to Manor Park senior community in Midland, just down the street from Glenn’s youngest sister Shirley. Both Glenn and Lorna moved into the assisted living facility at Manor Park on August 1, 2024, and then Glenn was moved to the main floor of the facility to receive more intensive care during the last few weeks of his life.
Even though Glenn spent the last thirteen years of his life in Texas, his heart always belonged to the Kansas farmland. Making it most fitting that he will be laid to rest and returned to the Kansas soil that he loved for all of his life. Glenn’s graveside service and burial will be held at the Great Bend Cemetery on November 27, 2024, at 11:00am. A memorial service will take place in Midland, Texas, in the Kelview Heights Baptist Church chapel on December 2, 2024, at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity that supports children in need to honor Glenn’s compassion for children who are less fortunate.
According to Galatians 6:7 “…whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap…” Glenn LeRoy not only sowed and reaped on those Kansas farms, he also sowed and reaped in his own life. Through hard work, humility, honesty, and commitment to his vocations and family, he reaped 97 glorious years (just one month short of his 98th birthday) filled with family, love, and unwavering devotion.
