From the moment of his birth on February 2, 1922, to Lesley Goates and Leda Kirkham Goates, until he drew his last breath on November 20, 2016, Lesley Brent Goates was a devoted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. His life will forever be a prototype worthy of emulation. In this season of Thanksgiving we are grateful to be among his posterity. He taught us how to live and continued to be a valiant warrior in his slowly declining capacity as he prepared to die when natural causes finally overtook him. Through it all, he maintained his dry and witty humor.
He was sealed to Helen Lee in the Salt Lake Temple on June 24, 1946. She is the younger daughter of President Harold B. Lee, who was his lifelong mentor. Brent authored the definitive biography about his life and ministry based upon President Lee's journals. In his ninety-fifth year at the time of his death, Brent is finally reunited with family and dear friends, and we celebrate with him at the thought.
A model of goodness and unselfish service to others, his life was filled with more sunlight than shadow. His radiant smile was always in evidence. At the LDS Hospital for many years he was the administrator. Mentoring his assistants during those years brought him great satisfaction. He loved serving as one of the original 69 Regional Representatives of the Twelve. Service with Helen as President of the California Arcadia Mission from 1975 to 1978 remained another treasured highlight, and their missionaries were a constant source of joy and fulfillment. For ten years thereafter as a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple, he officiated for many of his grandchildren and others.
He is a revered and venerable family patriarch, who outlived everyone on both sides of the family, and is survived by his children, David B. (Patsy) Goates, Harold L. (Jann) Goates, Jane G. (Laurence) Reiser, Jonathan L. (Dawn) Goates, Timothy L. (Amy) Goates, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen and another son, L. Drew Goates, predeceased him. Thanks to Gina, Darlene, Regina, Sofi, Tau, Lio and Fita who provided such loving and attentive care for our father.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2016, at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 Fairfax Road. Friends may visit at the ward building the night before from 6 ‚ 8 p.m., and 9:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Church's General Missionary Fund.
