Leon Gates Jr.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 21, 1960, Leon Gates, Jr. known to most as “Butch” had an innately joyful and playful nature. He loved the color green, to giggle, and debate about literally ANYTHING. His generosity was unmatched. Butch loved watching movies, sports and was a VORACIOUS reader, often reading books, hundreds of pages long in one sitting. He loved kids and strangers and family with equal measure; he was a lover of all people and animals, too! He was fortunate to have made and maintained several solid friendships with brothers from other mothers (they all met when just 10 or 11 years old) – Mitch, Jeff, Rusty, Bill, Oscar, Daryl, Jack Paul, Mike, Mickey, Jody, Dane, the list could go on.

As a young man he was strong as a tank. Graduating in 1978, Butch was an all-around, star athlete who played baseball, basketball, track and football during his 4 years at Center High School. He also tried his hand as a Golden Glove boxer for the Tomahawk Boxing Club, thereafter. Not in love with the college experience, Butch worked in construction for most of his adult years then later as a security guard and in debt collections. He made the best homemade pasta and the fluffiest scrambled eggs. There is no doubt in the next life he will be Chef Gates!

He always acknowledged and gave great respect to the huge impact the strong women in his family had in his life and he always made a point to make his sisters feel safe, supported and heard-what a true gift he was and will forever be loved. He passed on September 24, 2021 just after 12:00 Noon at St. Joseph Hospital.

He was preceded in death by: mother, Opal Margaret Gates; father, Leon Gates, Sr.; brother, Louis M. Smith; sister, Toni Gates; maternal grandparents, Nancy Roan Parker, George Parker, and Eddie Locke (biological); paternal grandmother, Genevieve Gates; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He leaves behind: loving sisters, Sharon R. Woods, Detroit, Michigan; Lonnice L. Locke and Toni Lynn Gates (Pinky) who flanked his bedside as he left this plane and returned to the Source that made him (both Kansas City, MO); aunt and uncle Velma and Leroy Cooper, Sr. and various aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Private services will be held for close family and friends only.