LeRoy Davis, 69, of Parker, SD, SD, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved him dearly.
The following words honor a life that mattered to many.
LeRoy's story began in 1956, and unfolded across the years that followed.
LeRoy spent his working life as ['surgical transporter at Sioux Valley Hospital for two years'] and held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
What is held in faith is rarely lost.
LeRoy Davis, 69 of Parker, passed away surrounded by his family on October 12, 2025 at the Sanford USD Medical Center. Memorial Service will be at 11:00 AM Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Parker First Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the church with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 PM. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.LeRoy was born on July 3rd, 1956 to William and Johanna Davis, joining his older sisters Geraldine and Julie. He grew up on a farm near Parker, South Dakota, attended elementary school in Monroe, South Dakota, and graduated from Marion High School in 1975. After graduation, he worked as a surgical transporter at Sioux Valley Hospital for two years, before taking a job at McKennan Hospital. It was here that his gentle and caring ways with patients were noticed by his future wife Cindy who was working at the hospital as a nursing assistant. They were married 7 months later on October 20th, 1979.By this time, LeRoy had already developed a love of horses that would last his entire life. It all began with his first childhood horse, Sugar. In 1980, LeRoy and Cindy left South Dakota in order for him to pursue an apprenticeship as a horse trainer in Glidden, Iowa. After a few years in Glidden, and the birth of a son (Jeremy), he worked another 1.5 years as a horse trainer in Charles City, Iowa. With years of horse training now under his belt, and a young family in tow, LeRoy felt prepared to start his own training center with his dad at their family farm back in South Dakota. Here, he trained, bred, and showed Arabian horses for the next 20 years.In 1983, LeRoy and Cindy welcomed their second child, Crystal. A third child, Nicole, would complete the family in 1987. Around this time, and while running his horse business, LeRoy started a job as a surgical transporter at Sanford Hospital, where he would continue to work for the next 38 years. In 2000, a decision was made to close the training center and LeRoy took a job at the Harrisburg Tree Farm. There he had the privilege of working for a boss who was also a landscaping instructor. This became LeRoy's ultimate passion, which led to him start his own landscaping business, LeRoy's Landscaping, in 2005. Not only did LeRoy love his work, he loved all of the people that the job allowed him to meet.LeRoy always wanted what was best for his family, patients/their families, friends, coworkers, and customers. He went out of his way to be friendly to everyone.LeRoy loved spending time with his family: his wife of almost 46 years, his children, and especially his 11 grandchildren. He was a true model of a man who knew and loved Jesus.LeRoy was preceded in death by his mother Johanna (VanGelder) Davis, his father Harley Davis, his sister Julie (Davis) Waldner, his brother-in-law Willis Waldner, his niece Vickie Waldner, his brother-in-law Clarence Collins, his father-in-law Arnold Kansanback, his sister-in-law Julie (Kansanback) Carlson, and his sister-in-law Jayne (Kansanback) Moormeier, as well as several aunts and uncles.Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, children, and their spouses: Jeremy (Jodie) Davis, Crystal (Adam) Nielson, Nicole (Andrew) Plucker; grandchildren: Harley Davis, Emmie Davis, Hickory Davis, Huckleberry Davis, Ariel Nielson, Paxton Nielson, Canon Nielson, Maverick Nielson, Harper Plucker, Elias Plucker, and Denver Plucker.
