Ely Gassoway

Ely Gassoway was born April 10, 1934 in Eudora, Ark. He passed away at the age of 78, Saturday January 5, 2013. He served in the United States Air Force, he was a DJ for radio station KPRS-FM - Hot 103 Jamz in Kansas City, MO known as “King Spin”, he was a member of the Police Reserve in Detroit MI and he retired from the United States Postal Service as a Director, Maintenance Craft in Oakland, CA.

He had a passion for Jazz Music, science fiction, and history. He was an avid reader, inventor and a mechanic. He was able to repair anything electronic, as well as motor vehicles, household appliances, and just an all around handy man. As a union shop Steward for the American Postal Workers Union of APWU, Local 78 it was there he discovered a great interest in employment laws.

Ely will always be remembered as a loving, kind and gentle man. He always had a kind word, and smile for all he met, even during his long-term illness. Whenever anyone needed assistance he was there lending a helping hand. He has touched the lives of all he met in a special way. Upon meeting him, you would be incredibly touched by his positive aura and you knew immediately what a great man Ely was. Ely gave special nicknames to family members based upon their personalities. He lovingly called his daughter Altnettia- “Tanita”, daughter LaVita –“Dumpling”, his loving wife Mary-“Honeybun", step-daughter LaDonna-“Mama D” and a special person whom he loved like daughter, Luna-“Angel”.

Ely was preceded in death by his father John Gassoway, mother, Addie Gassoway, brother Jeffery Gassoway, sister, Edna Gassoway and stepdaughter Francia Young. He was survived by his daughters Altnettia Gassoway, Kansas City, MO, LaVita Williams-Gassoway, Kansas City, MO, wife, Mary Young Plano, TX, step-daughter LaDonna (Nijuel) Herschel, Plano, TX, brother Branch (Marge) Gassoway, Detroit, MI, sister Mary Howard, San Pablo, CA, ex-wife Maebell Gassoway, special niece Beverly Rentie, special nephew John Brandt, special person whom he loved like daughter Luna Nelson and a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Ely will be well looked after by our Lord in Heaven. Even though he has passed on, he will live in our hearts and our precious memories forever.