Gerald Lee McInerney

Gerald Lee McInerney was born on December 19, 1939 in Deadwood, South Dakota to Paul and Agnes McInerney. The youngest of four McInerney boys, he came out tough, gritty, and loved. He spent his earliest years in the Limestone area above Lead, SD with his mother, father, and three older brothers, Paul, John, and Ted (Snooks). In fourth grade, his parents split, at which time his mother and Gerald moved to Dupree, South Dakota. After their stint in Dupree, Gerald moved with his mother and stepfather, Rex Gage, to St. Onge, South Dakota. After graduating eighth grade, Gerald then transferred to Spearfish, South Dakota where he completed his high school career. During high school, he was a part of the basketball and football team. He enjoyed competitive sports, but his true love came at 15 years old when he bulldogged his first steer. Once he started, he didn’t stop rodeoing and maintaining that as his main objective throughout his high school career. After graduating high school, he went to work at the family homestead in the heart of O’Neill Pass with his brothers, while rodeoing in the summer whenever he could. Gerald began running heavy equipment in Spearfish a few years after graduation where he found much enjoyment in mechanics and equipment work. 

Gerald met the love of his life, Jacquie Olsen, in 1955 in high school. But didn’t begin dating until 1961.The two were wed on March 3, 1963 in Spearfish. It didn’t take long after their wedding before the two along with their children, Chris, Mike, and Tim began putting on and running the stock for the Spearfish Night Rodeos. This is when the McInerney Stock Contracting business truly began, with his oldest brother, Paul. Gerald provided most of the bucking horses, steers, and calves; while his brother, Paul, ran and owned the majority of the bucking bulls. During their time putting on the night rodeos, the children provided much help (and free labor) along with the rest of the family clan. Gerald and Jacquie welcomed their last son, Todd, and finally completed their family with the birth of Samantha.

In 1971, the family moved to Sundance, Wyoming where they built their beautiful, forever home. During these first few years in Sundance, Gerald worked for Crook County as the Road and Bridge Foreman. He then worked for the Means Family in the oil field and construction in Gillette, before Gerald put together his own knowledge, experience, and began his own business, Mac’s Construction, in 1974. As the years went on, he spent his time working his business, picking up bucking horses, raising his five children, and of course, ranching and rodeoing. 

After successfully raising their five children, Gerald continued to blade roads, fix about anything that broke, and continued his legacy in the rodeo world. Gerald was a director of NARC for a few years, before he became the President of the Northwest Ranch Cowboys Association (NRCA) in 1989. He served as the President until 2018, gaining much support and garnering several of his own championship saddles through this time. Gerald bulldogged his last steer at 55 years old, leading him to an extremely successful Old Men’s Breakaway career. Gerald continued to rodeo until he was 84. When he hung his hat on the rodeo trail, he began his final career with his wife of being some of First Gold’s most dedicated members. 

Gerald continued to work his successful Mac’s Construction business until January of 2024, when he got diagnosed. At 84 years old, Gerald bladed his last road. One of the hardest days of his life, as you can tell by his lifetime of labor.

If you knew Gerald, you know he was a cowboy at heart. Integrity, honesty, and pride were three qualities that he exuded and lived by religiously. He was one of the toughest people to walk through any door (and filling it with his broad shoulders); he believed your word was your contract, never giving his lightly. He valued loyalty, his family, and truly lived every day to the fullest— up before the sun and enjoying every sunset. After a long fight, Gerald passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025 at Crook County Medical Hospital in Sundance, WY where he was surrounded by his loved ones. The world lost an incredible man— but heaven gained one of the best cowboys.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jacquie McInerney of Sundance, WY; his children, Christine (Jason) Babcock of Williams, AZ, Michael McInerney of Sundance, WY, Tim (Terri Raye) McInerney of Alzada, MT, & Samie McInerney of Sundance, WY. He is also survived by grandchildren: Courtney, McKinzi, Amy, Kayla, Brent, Tommy, James, Kelsie, Tanner, Teila, & Rigan; 24 great-grandchildren; & numerous nieces, nephews, and other loved ones. 

Gerald is preceded in death by his son, Todd; his grandson, Colby; his parents, Paul McInerney & Agnes Gage; his brothers, Paul, John, Snooks, Billy Foster, & sister, Mildred Jagodzinski. 

A celebration of life is planned to be held later in the summer at the Spearfish Park. The family invites you to join for a barbecue and storytelling, just as Gerald would have loved. A confirmed date will be released later.  

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Rapid City, US
2:17 pm, Jul 5, 2025
temperature icon 81°F
clear sky
47 %
1016 mb
9 mph
Clouds: 0%
Visibility: 6 mi
Sunrise: 5:16 am
Sunset: 8:38 pm

Finance.

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