Deleon Marvin Gist was born on September 18, 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia to Melvin Jackson and Arlene Ashley Gist. The couple was later married. He attended and graduated from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia in 2010. He left Georgia to attend Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, Michigan. He had been employed with Meijer Warehouse for 3 years but was currently working at Buffalo Wild Wings in East Lansing. Deleon loved his mother dearly, whom he lost as a teenager, which made him strive to become a better man. His passion was basketball and he had a smile that would light up any room. Deleon and his devoted and loving fiance, Stephanie Jones, were blessed August 7, 2014 with a beautiful daughter, Laila Arlene. Deleon loved his family but most of all he loved being a father to his daughter. He was preceded in death by: his mother, Arlene Ashley Gist Jackson; sister, Angela Jackson; and brother, Melvin Jackson, Jr., both of Cleveland, Ohio. Our beloved father, son, brother, and fiancé, Deleon Marvin Gist, went home to be with his Lord and to be reunited with his cherished mother November 1, 2014. He leaves to cherish his memory: his daughter, Laila Arlene Gist of Lansing, Michigan; father, Melvin Jackson of Cleveland, Ohio; brother, Roberto Gist of Atlanta, Georgia; sister, Marlynn Jackson of Cleveland, Ohio; fiancé, Stephanie Jones of Lansing; and a host of family and friends. Mr. Gist will lie in repose Friday, November 7, 12-6pm at the Riley Funeral Home, 426 West St. Joseph Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 8, 1:00pm at the Union Missionary Baptist Church, 500 South Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing, MI 48915. The family will receive visitors 30 minutes before services begin. Memories and condolences can be shared at rileyfuneralhome.com.