Beloved husband, father, coach, mentor and community leader Leroy G. McDaniels, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his residence at 8:51 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026. He was born Aug. 9, 1945 in Springfield. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillie Mae (McDaniel) Daniels; father, Harry Flake; and brother, Jackie Daniels.
Surviving family includes his wife, Merrill (Robinson), married 59 years; son, Tim Garrison (Florida); siblings Eugene Daniels, Nora Gilmer, Lorraine (Mitchell) Lathan; aunt, Roberta Rhoades; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, as well as great-great nieces and nephews, cousins; proud godfather of Marci Kristoff (Oak Lawn) and Ryanne Glasper (Maryland).
Leroy was a 1964 graduate of Feitshans High School, where he served as captain of his gymnastics team and it was there that he began his life-long commitment to the sport and young people. Leroy’s impact on the Springfield community and beyond is immeasurable. For 10 years he worked for the city of Springfield’s Department of Recreation. He developed the city’s first and only tumbling team, named Flip Flops.
In 1975, he and Merrill founded L&M Gymnastics, which they operated for 49 years. Through this endeavor, Leroy coached countless state, national and international champions, earning him the distinguished title of “Trainer of Champions” by the State Journal-Register.
Over the years he escorted gymnasts through 12 foreign countries. One performance was at The Expo ’92 in Seville, Spain, where our U.S. Commander General designated the team as “Goodwill Ambassadors.” Additionally, L&M hosted athletes and teams from England and the Philippines, as well as world-class gymnast Kurt Thomas, here in Springfield.
Also worth mentioning, Olympian Dominique Dawes joined L&M on its Illinois State Fair float. This was his way of building bridges across cultures. In addition, Coach Leroy was a recurring summer coach at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and University of Illinois Chicago for many years. He also taught physical education at Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and was a liaison worker for Springfield District 186.
His dedication and leadership of the sport for youth prompted him to accept an invitation to open a second L&M gym in Pekin, Illinois. Against all odds and in unchartered territory, tumbling was offered to the local youth.
In 1998, Leroy was inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame as a “Friend of Sports.” Coach Leroy will be missed by many others who lovingly claimed him as family.Leroy will be honored with a visitation from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, at Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62703. A funeral service will follow beginning at noon.
Monetary donations assist with expenses can be sent via Venmo @Merrill-McDaniels.
