Leland Paul McKeeman

Leland McKeeman was an accomplished, multi-faceted man: he started driving a tractor at age six, built his mother’s house as a teenager, won debate awards and coached debate, played multiple musical instruments, practiced law with two board-certifications, coached youth baseball and basketball, backpacked through the Rocky Mountains of Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico, and gardened with a green thumb. Most of all, he was a devoted and generous husband, son, son-in-law, brother, father, grandfather, and friend who loved his family and home completely. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his loved ones and friends, especially when they needed help.

Leland was born October 5, 1947 in Anthony, Kansas and grew up in rural Oklahoma and Oklahoma City. He graduated from Oklahoma State University where he was in Air Force ROTC. His great love was debate, at which he excelled. He obtained his master’s degree from OSU and then taught speech and coached debate at Northwestern Oklahoma State University where he made lifelong friends. While teaching, Leland accompanied a friend taking the LSAT on the spur of the moment, and soon after, he was moving to Austin to attend the University of Texas School of Law. Leland and his partner won the prestigious Hildebrand Competition at the law school, which they argued before the Texas Supreme Court. He was named best advocate and was a member of the law school’s Board of Advocates.

He practiced law in Austin for more than 40 years, managing his own private practice for 35 of those years. Leland’s clients relied on him for his calm demeanor and unwavering commitment to professionalism – even after his retirement. He fought for outcomes that were fair for his clients and reasonable for all parties, treating everyone in the matter as he would like to be treated. While his work could be demanding at times, Leland always prioritized time with his family, attending every concert, contest, basketball game, birthday, Scout trip, and family vacation.

Leland is survived by his three sisters and their families, Lea Mae Rankin and her husband Dwayne of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Linda Hall and her husband David of Conroe, Texas; and Tamie Brickman and her husband Mark, of Yukon, Oklahoma. His beloved brother Harold and parents Elmer and Loberta predeceased him. While Loberta was alive, there were few things that brought Leland more joy than spending Thanksgiving in the house in Wakita that he helped build filled with the love of four beautiful families and the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls. Leland was most proud of his children: David Shebay and his wife Elizabeth of Bellaire, Texas and their children Sophia, Jonathan and Eli; John Potter of Seattle, Washington; Ryan McKeeman and his wife Lindsey of Austin and their children Teddy, Jolie, and Layla; and his daughter Jennifer McKeeman of Austin.

Leland and his wife, Christine, were married 38 years. They were adoring life partners who were devoted to each other, raising their children, creating a good life for them, and living well. They were fortunate to be able to travel to many beautiful places in the world together from New Zealand to the British Isles. Most of all, they loved just being at home together.

Please join the family in a Celebration of Life at 11800 Onion Hollow Run, Austin, Texas 78739 on November 5, 2023 from 1:00PM - 3:00PM