Steven Michael Gleason

Steven Michael Gleason, 72, passed away on January 21, 2024, in Raymore, Missouri. 

He was a long-time resident of the Foxwood Springs senior living community. Steve was born in Oakland, California, on July 9, 1951, and lived most of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area. He moved to Raymore in 2015, reversing the trend of ancestors who had left Missouri for California. His Missouri roots trace back to the late 1790s and early 1800s, when free-spirited-ancestors built homes in the wilderness. As opportunities arose, most of them moved westward through the state and, during the mid-1800s, left by wagon train to explore new territories on the West Coast. They brought with them a long American heritage from ancestors who settled in 1610 at Jamestown and 1620 at Plymouth Colony. (More than a quarter of the “Mayflower” passengers were either Steve’s maternal or paternal family. At least 15 were direct ancestors.) 

Steve was a proud American with an avid interest in our nation’s history. A Vietnam Veteran, he served 3 years in the army and became a specialist in cardiac technology at U.S. military hospitals. He finished his service at Fort Hood, Texas (now Fort Cavazos). Afterwards, Steve worked for an AT&T subsidiary, initially as a telephone lineman climbing poles and ultimately as a team manager. He took early retirement to relax, enjoy long camping trips, and immerse himself in world history. He had a remarkable memory for names, dates, places and events. Steve died of natural causes after 20 years with Parkinson’s Disease. The youngest child of William Eugene Gleason and Catherine Elizabeth Gorham, both deceased, he is survived by a sister, brother, two nieces, and their families.