Phillip Leslie “Les” Gadson

Robert A. Waters Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | January 25, 2022

Phillip Leslie “Les” Gadson, 72, of Jefferson Hills, was born July 30, 1949, in McKeesport, PA. He was the beloved son of Eva (George) Robinson and Harold Gadson. He departed this life on January 13, 2022, in Jefferson Hills, PA.

Les spent his formative years in New York City where he acquired his thirst for city life and Afrocentric culture. He was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. He was also a graduate of Robert Morris University where he received a bachelor’s degree in journalism. As a life-long learner, he also attended Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa where he studied consciousness and human potential.

Following his tenure in Iowa, Les created life in Washington, D.C. with a community of fellow meditators. While in D.C. he had a long career that enabled him to travel throughout the country to attend jazz festivals. Les was an avid jazz enthusiast and purist who also loved to read and study the impact of civil rights movements.

Les relocated to Pennsylvania in 2018 although he continued to travel to D.C. until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents.   

Les is survived by his cousins, Corey Gadson of Forest Hills, PA, and Robert Keith of Jefferson Hills, PA; his step-sister, Penny Robinson of Clairton, PA; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He will be remembered as an independent, strong-willed soul who enjoyed the simple things in life.

Arrangements were in charge of Robert A. Waters Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phillip Leslie Gadson, please visit our floral store.

Originally published January 25, 2022.

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