DODGE CITY - Kenneth "Butch" J. Gleason, 77, died Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City.

He was born October 2, 1941 at Spearville, the son of Raymond and Francis (Dvork) Gleason.  He was a lifetime Dodge City resident.  He was a horse trainer most of his life and had also worked for Coca-Cola and the City of Dodge City.

He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City as well as the Kansas Thoroughbred Association and the Colorado Thoroughbred Association.

On May 25, 1968 he married Linda Koontz at Raton, New Mexico.

Survivors include: his wife of 50 years, Linda, Dodge City; their 4 children, Jamie Schmidt, Dodge City, Steve Koontz, Wichita, Wendi Barlow and husband Brian, Ingalls and Heather Gleason, Dodge City; a brother, Danny Ray Gleason and wife Mary, Spearville; 3 sisters, Connie Jo Orrison and husband Ted, Dodge City, Sharon Esquibel, Dodge City and Pat Palmer, Portis, Kansas; 10 grandchildren, Brandon Hensley and wife Crosbi, Blaine Hensley and wife Jen, Ceara Lynch and husband Eric, Riley Parsons and wife Lexi, Regan Parsons, Ross Winter, Maddison Winter, Brenden Koontz, Joey Koontz and Nathan Koontz; 3 great grandchildren, Braiden Hensley, McKenna Hensley and Presley "Pretzel" Parsons; and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Terry "Tub", Lawrence and K.D. Gleason and 3 sisters, Susan Gleason, Judy Charpentier and Jeri Lynn Jackson.

Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Friday, December 14, 2018 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City.  Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the church with Fr. Wesley Schawe presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in rural Hodgeman County.  Visitation will Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Arrowhead West or Dodge City Special Olympics both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.