Gregory Keith McLeod

After a 19 month, hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer, Greg McLeod passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the age of 64 years.

Greg was a very private man. He was also a damn good and proud farmer, his rows were always perfectly straight and if he spied a weed or a rock in the field, he would stop the truck and remove it. From planning where to plant the variety of crops, to seeding, spraying, combining, harvesting potatoes, fixing every implement, planning next steps with Mother Nature, who frequently was “a bit of a bitch”, doing book work, to selling the products, while trying to wait for the best prices. Even the day before he passed, he said “I sure hope the boys get a good rain soon.”

Greg took great pride in being the fourth generation of the McLeod family to farm their land, started by his great grandfather Kenneth McLeod in 1889. McLeod farms (also known as Glenelg Farm) was recognized as a century Farm in 1989 and a Heritage Farm in 2014.

Besides farming, Greg’s other passion was flying, just like his father, Doug. On his 17th birthday, Greg tested for his private pilots license and acquired his commercial license when he was 19 years old. One of Greg’s first jobs was hydro power line patrol, from the cockpit of a plane. Another great accomplishment was achieving his Instrument Rating, over 20 years ago and renewing that several times after. One highlight of Greg’s flying life was doing touch and go’s on 3 Hawaiian Islands, during a trip in 2019. He loved aviation but he loved the farm more.

Greg became a father to Jerilyn the day he married Deb. Morgan joined the family in 1994, completing the family circle of “Greg’s Girls”, he was always very proud of both of them. In 2015 and 2017 Kendryk and Evan joined the family and Greg became known as Pops. Favourite times with the grandsons were spent riding on various farm machinery. Greg was a dedicated family man and a loyal friend who could play hard with the best of them. He was a helpful and trusted neighbour. He was one of the good ones.

Greg was predeceased by his grandparents Roderick and Frances McLeod and Hartley and Lillian McDonald, parents Doug and Lorraine McLeod and brother-in-law Al Connelly. He leaves to mourn his wife Deb (nee Connelly), daughter Jerilyn (Kris) with grandsons Kendryk Royce and Evan Gregory, daughter Morgan (Jordan), brother Marshall (Deb) and their son Rod (Dana), along with his wife’s siblings Marg, Heather, Dave, Gerald, sister-in-law Colleen and their families, as well as many wonderful friends.

Greg’s family would like to thank the incredibly caring Palliative Team in Portage, as well as Dr. Hunter. Dr. Delaquis and Dr. Anderson, who together helped Greg in so many ways.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the Glesby Centre on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 1:00 pm. Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Columbarium. The service will be livestreamed, to register and view the service click below.

In lieu of flowers, please do a good deed for someone, the world will be a better place. Donations in Greg’s memory can be made to STARS - 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570 Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7, Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8 or Sunset Palliative Care Inc, 40 Royal Rd North, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1V1.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com