SR0808 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0808 LRB104 21969 RMO 37932 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leroy G. McDaniels of Springfield, who passed away on April 30, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Leroy McDaniels, the son of Lillie Mae (McDaniel) Daniels and Harry Flake, was born in Springfield on August 9, 1945; his lifelong commitment to gymnastics began at Feitshans High School, where he served as team captain before graduating in 1964; and

WHEREAS, Leroy McDaniels worked for Springfield's Department of Recreation for 10 years and developed the city's first and only tumbling team, Flip Flops; together with his wife, Merrill, he founded L&M Gymnastics in 1975 and ran the business for 49 years, also accepting an invitation to open a second location in Pekin; he was a recurring summer coach at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Chicago for many years in addition to teaching physical education at Blessed Sacrament School and serving as a liaison worker for Springfield District 186; and

WHEREAS, Leroy McDaniels, known to his gymnasts as Coach Leroy, made worldwide connections through his dedication to the sport; he escorted gymnasts to 12 countries, including a performance at The Expo '92 in Seville, Spain, where the US Commander General designated the team as "Goodwill Ambassadors"; L&M Gymnastics hosted athletes and teams from England and the Philippines as well as world-class gymnast Kurt Thomas, and Olympian Dominique Dawes joined the organization on its float at the State fair; and

WHEREAS, Leroy McDaniels made a lasting impact on the Springfield community and beyond; he coached countless champions at the state, national, and international levels and was proclaimed the Trainer of Champions by the State Journal Register; he was inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame as a Friend of Sports in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Leroy McDaniels was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jackie Daniels; and

WHEREAS, Leroy McDaniels is survived by his wife of 59 years, Merrill; his son, Tim Garrison; his siblings, Eugene Daniels, Nora Gilmer, and Lorraine (Mitchell) Lathan; his aunt, Roberta Rhoades; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews, and cousins; and his godchildren, Marci Kristoff and Ryanne Glasper; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leroy G. McDaniels and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Leroy McDaniels as an expression of our deepest sympathy.