Gay A. Santos

Gay Ann Santos, 79, of Parsons, passed away the afternoon of Monday, July 21, 2025, at Freeman West in Joplin.

Gay Ann Leatherland was born on October 6, 1945, to Pete and Mary (Brogden) Leatherland in Washington, Missouri.  After graduating from Dewey High School in Dewey, Oklahoma, Gay attended Oklahoma State University for one year.

For a number of years, she worked as a housekeeper and cook at the Best Western Bartlesville Inn in Bartlesville.

Gay was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons.  Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family.  She also enjoyed fishing.

On October 31, 1979, Gay and John L. Santos were united in marriage in Bartlesville.  He survives of the home.

Other survivors include:

Two sons – Rick Kale of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Fred Richardson of Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Two daughters – Stephanie Notah of Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Lisa Berentz of Topeka, Kansas

Three grandchildren

One sister – Margaret Clements of Barnsdall, Oklahoma

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Fred Leatherland.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.  The rosary will be prayed at 10:00 a.m., Monday at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m., Monday at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.