Leland Miner

Leland “Lee” Victor Miner, son of the late Hiram Victor Miner and Marjorie Isabel (Hutchinson) Miner, was born in Estherville, Iowa, on December 11, 1942. He departed this life, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 77.

Lee grew up on a farm in Superior, Iowa, learning the traits of hard work. In high school, he was called the rose among thorns for being the only boy in a class full of girls. After graduation, Lee proudly served in the United States Navy from the summer of 1960 to December of 1963 as a radar and communications technician aboard the USS Boxer. In 1964, he married Patricia Butler and three children were born to this union. In 1966 his young family made their way to settle in Gila Bend, Arizona. In 1976, Lee married Hazel Seel and to this union, one son was born. In 1981, Lee married Barbara (Bobbi) Comstock and he gained his first experience at being a grandfather. In 1988, the family left Arizona for Missouri to own and operate a small business in Ellington at Clearwater Lake. Sale of the business opened the door for a move back to Arizona in 1994. In 2003, he married Laura Carter and in 2007, they moved from Arizona to their current home at Drury, Missouri, to share the rural life.

Lee was a jack of many trades in his working career. His collection of tools allowed him to perform mechanical music on anything with wheels. His coolness under stress kept people safe during his time as a police officer and EMT. As a truck driver, delivering his payload safely and on schedule was a prideful time. He then went into towing to bring in the trucks that couldn’t make it. The ambition of being his own boss drove his dedication as a business owner, logging extended day and night hours in attempts to fulfill his American Dream. Some of his favorite times were telling stories over a good cup of coffee with even better company.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Genevieve Rowe, and sister, Juanita Smith.

He is survived at the home by his wife, Laura; a daughter Kirsten (Robert) Coleman of Rhome, Texas; three sons Steve (Brenda) Miner of New Bloomfield, Missouri; Joe (Michelle) Miner of Drury, Missouri; Thomas (Debbie Lowry) Miner of Fulton, Missouri; three granddaughters, Kathryn Coleman, Sophia and Natalie Miner; three sisters, Margaret Wilshusen of Mora, Missouri; Vicki (Brad) LaBille of Sedalia, Missouri, and Colleen Bierman of Warsaw, Missouri; stepchildren Naomi (Wayne) Vandever, Alicia Seel; step-grandchildren, Daniel Seel, Cody and Amanda Best; Katie, Anna and Nathan Lowry; Shawn and Tracy Vandever, Chrissy Barnett; five great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him.