King Gates

King'nazir Lafayette La'Carl Gates, 6, of Owensboro passed away February 28, 2023 at his home. He was born February 1, 2016 to Lakeia Nard and Carl Gates Jr. He was happy-spirited and always smiling individual from the beginning to the end. Born with an extremely rare disease SPTLC2 gene mutation, falling under the pediatric ALS umbrella. He lost his ability to walk at the age of three and he would regress every year until his lungs failed and his heart stopped. At the time of his diagnosis at three, he was the only second person and the first boy in the world with this disease, four more families have been found since.

King'nazir loved music, classical only during bath time, animals, traveling, outdoors, water and parks, and his video shows. He was so smart speaking Spanish and Portuguese at the age of two years old, singing and knowing all his shapes and colors. King'nazir has been a fighter, who adapted quickly to his deteriorating body. Never sad, mad, or crying about his condition, he smiled and adapted to each stage.

He is survived by his mother Lakeia Nard; father, Carl Gates Jr.; siblings Muhan Nard, Armani Young, Jai'ameis White, and Semaj White; maternal grandmother Iris Nard; maternal grandfather Robert Carson; maternal great-grandmother Willene Nard; paternal grandparents, Carl Gates Sr. and Barbara Gates; niece Arabella Dant; and a nephew Zay-Zoen Nard.

Because of him, Melanin Children Matter Inc. was created, servicing children, healing families, and educating society while enhancing awareness surrounding childhood rare diseases and resources for autism.