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 and his infant sister Maria 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 and countless nieces and nephews on Beverly’s side. 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.
Beverly & Family, we were so sad to hear of Steven’s sudden passing. Sending all our love, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May Steven’s memory be forever eternal! Love, Jim, Carmen, Kiley & Blake.
Beverly and family
We were so deeply saddened by the sudden death of Steven. Sending our thoughts and prayers to all of the family. May his memory be eternal . Treasure all the memories that you have shared. 🙏🏻
Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the memories of Steven and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Your Friends,
Vong Ho & Mary Le
Your family has been in my prayers without ceasing. Dr. Leon’s memory will live on in all the people who happened to be touched by his kindness. I am so very sorry for your loss of this great man. Love, The Schwalbert family.
Beverly I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband…
May God be with you and your family and give you strength…
Very sorry to hear of your family’s sudden loss . I and my family were patients of Dr
Leon for many years. My daughter was friends with your daughter Cassie too. Again our sincere condolences.
Dear Leon Family & Friends
Only less than a week ago, we saw Dr. Leon and your family pay last respects to our dad Father Radomir during his burial services. We are devastated by receiving sad news of Dr. Leon’s sudden passing. Over three decades and more of friendship with our father and his “best Greek Orthodox dentist, who sings like an angel”.
May God rest his soul and give you the strength to endure this enormous sudden loss.
The Chkautovich Family
My heart feels such a heavy heavy loss. Steve was a mentor and friend to me. I had attended the same Dental School Steve had, but several years behind him. He brought me in as his associate and I learned SO much working alongside him. He had such a fun and competitive spirit with me. Always quizzing…challenging and pushing me to continue my learning. I owe so much of where I am in my professional life to how my journey started with Steve. He had an amazing smile, loved to joke and laugh with a large caring heart. His family and faith were everything to him. I pray for all of their comfort. We lost a bright light in this world…but heaven has gained him.
Sincerest Sympathy from Elizabeth Loethen and Family
There are just no words to describe how completely devastated our family is at the loss of Steve. He was our family friend as our children grew up and played together since kindergarten. Later he would become our dentist. Your entire family is in our prayers as you navigate your way through this unimaginable loss. Our hearts are just broken as he left this world way too soon. Much love and many prayers. The Stumbaugh Family, Jay, Jan, Kelly, Alex and family.
I went to school from kindergarten to graduating at Mehlville senior high with Steve. He lived a few blocks from my family when we were growing up. He was always such a nice guy. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing. May his family find comfort in this difficult time.
We are saddened by the news of Dr. Leon’s passing. We enjoyed going to Dr. Leon’s dental practice for more than 25 years, and our most recent visit. Dr. Leon was always a wonderful person to be around and we will miss him dearly. Our prayers go out to Beverly and all of his family during this time, and all the beautiful memories from an exceptional life should be kept close. Heaven gained another angel.
Dear Beverly, Cassie, Maria and the Leon family,
Our deepest sympathies. We are very saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. Praying for your family in this time of tremendous loss sadness.
What an extraordinary person Steve was in so many ways! We were so blessed to hear his beautiful voice at church all these years.
Beverly and Family,
We were very saddened to hear the devastating news of Steve’s passing. Your family is in our thoughts and we are praying for your well being. May you find peace, strength, and comfort during these tough days.
We feel honored to have known Steve and to have listened to his beautiful chanting all these years at the Assumption Church.
Our family of 3 just did switch dentists & were looking forward to getting to know Dr. Leon & his crew. I got to see him at one appt., but the day my husband was to meet him at his, we received a call with the sad news. I remember the Leon Family, as my family lived on the same street & I babysat Steven & Stephanie. What an incredible man, with an incredible bio. Our prayers to all of his family and friends.
The Klosterman’s
My wife Deb and I are just sick in hearing the news of Dr. Steven Leon’s death. Both my wife and I have been a patient even before he started his practice in Arnold. A few years ago we also moved in the same subdivision as he and Beverly. I always admired his interest in the community and we had many discussions about state and national issues. I also so enjoyed talking to Steven about his Greek heritage that he wore with pride. Both our fathers were old school and we both learned so much from these great men.
Sending prayers to you and your family 🙏 dr leon was a great man I left my other dentist because he retired then found your husband he did amazing job on my teeth am going to miss him
I graduated from Mehlville High School with Steve in 1985. I eventually became an osteopathic family physician DO and transferred to Arnold to practice with Mercy in 2000. After many years of practicing together in Arnold and referring patients to each other, Steve and his wife became patients of mine not too long ago. Steve was a great guy and I will miss seeing him at my office. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
May his memory be eternal. Many of us knew Steven from the many weekends he spent preparing meals at FOCUS. He took the Lord’s word to heart and put them into action: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” – Mathew 25:35. May the Lord grant His good and faithful servant rest in the bosom of Abraham.
God bless the soul of Dr. Leon and all who loved him, especially his family. May the memory of him be eternal. We will surely miss his charity and his beautiful voice.
I am so sorry that I learned of Dr. Leon’s passing just today. I would have went to pay my respects if I knew in a more timely manner. He will be greatly missed. I also went to Father Radomir Chkautovich’s funeral and saw Dr. Leon there. That was about a week before Dr. Leon’s passing. He will be remembered for his service to the church as a cantor. I can still hear his voice. May his memory be eternal !
God Bless the Soul of Dr. Leon. I will miss his chanting in church. May his memory be eternal.