Richard "Roy" Waddington

Richard LeRoy (Roy) Waddington of Luverne passed away on November 18, 2023. He was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, on March 30, 1953, to Violet (Kester) and Richard Waddington, the oldest of five. He was raised in the Black Hills by his mom and step father, Herbert Holmes. He attended school through the 8th grade, and then began his career in the logging industry. He married Nancy Jane Buchholz on November 27, 1971.

Through the years Roy worked in the log woods with his grandpa, uncles, dad, his brother, Rodney, and brother-in-law, RG Hensley. While working in the woods he found his passion - truck driving - which he did off and on for the rest of his life. For many years he drove semis over the road across the United States.

In 1993, Roy and Nancy moved their family to Alabama and lived near Roy’s aunt and uncle Norma and John Skinner. Roy drove a logging truck until 1995, when they moved from Alabama to Luverne, Minnesota. He worked at IBP as a supervisor in maintenance, at Swift as a supervisor in boilers and refrigeration, and finally at the local ethanol plant as a boiler operator. Before retiring, Roy owned and operated Waddington trucking, with his great-nephew Tony Crackel working for him. 

In Roy’s younger years he enjoyed fishing. By middle age, he enjoyed watching wrestling and Nascar races with his family. He was devoted to his family, and in later years all he cared about was taking care of them.

Roy is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy; daughter Sherri Waddington; sisters and brothers, Rex (Kathy) Waddington, Betty Tye, Rickie Bonnette, and Rodney (Addie) Waddington; grandchildren, Jasmine Langner, Christen Kessler (Lennon Keller), James, Kane, David, and Mary Waddington; and many uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Violet (Herbert) Holmes, and Richard Waddington; his half brother, Steve Kilber; son Myron Waddington; and an infant son David LeRoy Waddington.