David LeRoy Geary, 83, of Hermosa, SD passed away November 4th, 2020.

David was born on March 28, 1937 to Benjamin and Gladys Geary in Deadwood, SD.  The youngest of three sons, David was raised in Provo, SD.  Even from a very early age, David felt the need to be fiercely independent. At the young age of 5, with a little help from his mother, David started a paper route and consistently placed his earnings in savings, which allowed him the ability to purchase his very first car at the age of 14. His passion for self-sufficiency continued to grow through the years, where he then found himself wanting to teach others. So, after graduating from Provo High School in 1955, David attended Black Hills Teacher's College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education. He was also a stand-out basketball player through high school and college, where he not only contributed to many victories, but he learned the importance of teamwork while making lifelong friends.

In 1957, he married Diane Matter and they made their home just outside of Lead/Deadwood on Highway 385. David and Diane raised four children together. A devoted husband and father, David also continued his love of helping others through teaching at Lead High School, where he led PE, History, Drivers Ed, and DECA courses. Although his love for teaching was strong, his independence continued to grow. David soon came to realize he was a businessman at heart. Therefore, in 1975, David left teaching and became an owning partner in Dakota Skateland in Rapid City. He and his family made their home in Piedmont, SD soon thereafter. Just as he touched the lives of so many young students as a teacher, David also brought joy to countless others through many other Rapid City business ventures throughout the years.

It was no secret that David had a knack for business, but his heart was in the countryside. An avid outdoorsman and lifelong hunter, his true passion was his ranch just outside of Custer State Park. In 1999, David married Leonne Neely, first residing in Rapid City, but then moving out to his beloved ranch in Hermosa. David truly loved the freedom the ranch provided. His love of hunting, ATVing, and land stewardship also grew beyond just himself. David quickly found himself back in his role as a teacher, where he passed these passions on to not only just his children but to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. David's joy of the outdoors will undoubtedly live on for generations to come.

David will always be remembered by his faithfulness to family, his keen wit, boisterous sense of humor, and his love of "horse-trading". He was a respected man of faith and a proud Mason with the Naja Shriners. David was a loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and beloved friend to many. He spent the golden years of his amazing life sharing his dream with family and shepherding the land he so loved.

David was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin & Gladys Geary, brothers, Philip and Harris Geary, daughter, Darla Kenley, his children's mother, Diane Geary-Stone, plus numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his loving family: his son, Doug Geary (Nancy) of Rapid City, SD; daughters, Deb Larson (Kevin) of Rapid City, SD, and Deanna Geary of Spearfish, SD; his wife, Leonne Geary; step-daughters, Donna Coffing (Glenn) of Hermosa, Wendy Weaver (Tim) of Hermosa, Linda Bryant (Jerry) of Rapid City, and Laura McVey (Mike) of Albuquerque, NM; step-son, Doug Neely (Roberta) of Sioux Falls, SD; eight grandsons, one granddaughter, 13 great-grandchildren, 19 step-grandchildren, and 23 step-great-grandchildren.

"I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please." - John Wayne