Leon, Dr. Steven P.

It is with great sadness, but joy in the coming Resurrection, that we announce the repose of our beloved Dr. Steven Paul Leon, 58, on February 16, 2026. He was a loving husband, father, and papou. Dr. Leon was a devoted chanter for the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Town & Country, MO. He was also a very gifted dentist, dutifully managing his own dental practice for over 30 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Judith (née Rodefeld) Leon. He is survived by his loving wife Beverly (née Isbell) Leon, and their children, Christopher Mowry (Devon), Maria Leon, Cassiani Leon, and Jenny Bennett. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Nova Jude Mowry and Eleftheri Ilia Adel Bennett. Steven also leaves behind his sisters, Stephanie (Matt) Streeter and Michelle (John) Nicholas; and he was a proud uncle to 2 nephews, John Streeter and Menas Nicholas. He was truly adored and appreciated by so many others in his community.

Steven and Beverly met while attending University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). They were joined together in holy matrimony in 1994, at a Greek Orthodox parish in Kansas City, MO. With their new marriage, Dr. Leon not only gained a wife, but also his dearest son, Christopher. It was not long after, in 1996, when their first daughter, Maria, was born. She was followed by their youngest sister, Cassiani “Cassi”. Their family grew again, decades later, with Christopher’s wife and their daughter; but also with the growing friendship –into sisterhood– that developed with Jenny, and subsequently, her son.

Dr. Steven Leon was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Mehlville Senior High School in 1985, then attended UMKC. In 1988 he graduated with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Philosophy. He then attended the UMKC’s School of Dentistry, from which he graduated with Honors, in May 1992. The American Dental Association’s Joint Commission of National Dental Examinations, awarded Dr. Leon for being in the top 10% of students who took the National Dental Board Examination. While in dental school, he became a member of the Xi Psi Phi professional fraternity, as well as receiving invitations to join the Honor Societies of Phi Kappa Phi, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He also received the Undergraduate Achievement Award from the American College of Prosthodontists.

After graduation, Dr. Leon was asked to remain at the UMKC School of Dentistry as a Fellow, in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, where he served as a clinical instructor. This position was originally designed as an interim position, to assist predoctoral students during the summer semester. With the sudden departure of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) resident, Dr. Leon was allowed to assume his predecessor’s duties. With that, he completed the remainder of 1992 with OMS in a residency capacity. Dr. Leon was requested to stay on and complete the training necessary to become a specialist, but his desire to enter private practice, as a general dentist, had become his primary focus.

On 4 January, 1993, Dr. Leon entered into private practice in Arnold, MO at a local dental office, as an associate dentist. On 6 December, 2000, he opened the doors of his very own dental practice, Arnold Dental Arts, LLC. He has spent most of his professional career seeking to improve his skills, and  expand his knowledge, through various continuing education programs. Although Dr. Leon attended seminars covering all aspects of general dentistry, much of his continuing education had been in the arena of craniofacial pain, orthodontics, and sleep medicine.

Dr. Leon has lectured to the following groups:

• Mineral Area Study Club – March 2006
• Celebrating Women – Women’s Day at UMSL, April 2006

Dr. Leon has published numerous articles and editorials:

• The Use of Panoramic Radiography For Evaluating Temporomandibular Disorders – General Dentistry, July-August 2004
• Editorial: Windsor-Pepsi Alliance – Arnold/Imperial Leader, July 31, 2003
• Editorial: Defining “progress” – General Dentistry, Jul-Aug 2003; 51(4): 303; author reply 303.
• Editorial: The Source of The Problem – Dentistry Today, Oct 2003; 22(10): 12; author reply 14.
• Editorial: Putting The Patient In Control – General Dentistry, Sep-Oct 2003; 51(5): 384; author reply 384.
• Editorial: Response to Uyanik’s TMD Series – Dentistry Today, Jan 2004; 23(1): 10, 12.
• Editorial: Response to Beggs’ Viewpoint – Dentistry Today, Apr 2004; 23(4): 14, 18.
• Editorial: The Full Impact of Snoring Appliances – General Dentistry, May-Jun 2004; 52(3): 198-9; author reply 198.
• Editorial: Bisphosphonate-associated Osteonecrosis of The Jaw: Questioning The Proposed Protocols –Dentistry Today, Nov 2006; 25(11): 16; author reply 16.

Dr. Leon had also appeared in several television commercials for Perio Protect®, as well as for Health Front –a medically oriented informational program– speaking about craniofacial pain.

SERVICES:  Visitation for the public will be held at Kutis Funeral Home 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. St. Louis, MO 63129 on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 4pm, with a Trisagion to be held at 7pm, to conclude the visitation period. The funeral service will take place at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd. Des Peres, MO 63131 on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 12pm, with the burial to follow, at St. Matthew Cemetery 4360 Bates St. 63116. Location of the reception is to be determined, and will be announced at the funeral and the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church’s Capital Campaign Fund.