Leroy Gaines affectionally known by family and friends as Uncle Leroy; Unk, Pa-Pa and Lee.  Mr. Leroy was born in Springfield, Ohio on April 21, 1944 to the late Willie Gaines and Jessie Mitchell

Leroy was the only boy and youngest among siblings Emma, Dorothy and Pearl Ann.  He was raised in Springfield, Ohio and graduated from Springfield South High School.  Leroy went on to attend Wilberforce University on a scholarship where he played on the basketball team (Wilberforce  Bulldogs).  He met and married his college sweetheart, Vonda Cargo.  To this union there only child, Kimberly "Kim" was born.  Leroy became a loving and devoted father who was actively involved  in most of his daughter's activities.  He was blessed to have a loving and devoted daughter.

Leroy was a dedicated employee at Navistar International for 39 years and a long-time beloved employee of the Robert C. Henry Funeral Home. His favorite pastime was playing basketball, in his younger years and fishing, which he called his therapy session.  Later in life a special relationship  developed between his high school friend, Mary "Mickie" Clark-Hawkins.

Brother Gaines was a lifelong member of Wiley (Covenant) United  Methodist Church and served as an overseer and usher.  Known as the Candyman, Brother Gaines frequently visited nursing homes giving out candy to the residents and Lap Blankets crocheted by his Aunt Inez.  Leroy was a committed contributor to St. Jude.

Leroy entered into Eternal Rest with his daughter and ex-wife at his bedside on Jan 2, 2021 at the age of 76 years old.  He was welcomed into the Heavens by his parents, sisters, Emma Crossley and Pearl Ann Murphy; nieces, Kelly and Anita Crossley; nephew, Kevin Duncan; brothers-in-law, Richard Duncan and Robert Crossley; fishing partner, Charles Whiteside and long-time friends, John Wagstaff and Fred Bentley.

Leroy leaves fond memories to his devoted daughter, Kim, ex-wife, Vonda (Cargo); sister, Dorothy "Dot" Duncan special and devoted cousin, Mike Gaines (Dawn); half-brother, George Welliford, special friends, Russell Offett, Craig Williams, Richard Bullard ,Mario Avery & Tom & Barbara Sims of Florida, Thomas (Laurie) Watkins, Barbara Greenwood, Evelyn Altson, LaDora Jamison; Past Time Fishing Partners, Tobe Gentry and Butch Hardiman; nieces; Denise, Renee, Tina Reichel, Tracy, Vada, Dawn and Shawn (Duncan), Robyn Crossley and Valerie Welliford; nephews, Andre Gaines and Cory Welliford; Brandon, James and Jordan Robinson who they called Pa-Pa; Wilberforce family and many, many other family members and acquaintances.

Special acknowledgement is given to Brian and Anthony Richardson who always helped Leroy in many capacities in and out of his home.

Special Thanks to Dr. Vipul Patel and the Doctors at Soin Medical Center in Beavercreek, Ohio and Hospice of Dayton.