LESLEY DREW GOATES

Lesley Drew Goates 4/25/1952 ~ 6/28/2011 "We may not know, we cannot tell what pains He had to bear, but we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there." (Hymns, No. 194).Lesley Drew Goates, 59, died quietly in his sleep on June 28, 2011. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 25, 1952, to L. Brent and Helen L. Goates, the third of their six children. Drew attended East High School, where he played football and shared his musical talents in many enjoyable experiences with all his friends. In the first game of his senior year he suffered a severe neck injury that left him in lifelong pain. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Australia East Mission. When he returned he married Jane Stephenson in the Salt Lake Temple. They had four children, Christopher, Julie, Katie and Ryan. He was later divorced, however Drew remained a loving father to his family throughout his life. Drew's life was filled with much sorrow, but he pressed on and enjoyed many happy times surrounded by those who loved him. His degree of difficulty in his mortal experience became even more extraordinary when he contracted multiple sclerosis later in life. In the pain he endured he seized the opportunity to live in courage and love. In recent years he often expressed the need to help others avoid the suffering he experienced throughout his life. Perhaps now he can realize that dream. He taught us the meaning of the words, "Even this," applies to Christ's healing power when believed and applied. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen L. Goates, his infant daughter Julie and his son Ryan. He is survived by his children, Christopher and Katie (Ryan Ludwig), a grandson Ryan Joshua, with another grandchild on the way, his father, L. Brent Goates, siblings David (Patsy), Hal (Jann), Jane (Laurence Reiser), Jon (Dawn), and Tim (Amy) and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Friday, July 1, 2011, at Federal Heights Ward, 1300 Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City, Utah, at 12:00 noon. Friends may visit earlier at the ward beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery under the direction of Larkin Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed. Online condolences are available at www.larkinmortuary.com.