Richard Lee Gaines

Richard Lee Gaines, born to Edward L. Gaines and Anna Mae Daniels Gaines on February 24, 1965. Ricky, affectionately called by family and friends grew up in Indianapolis IN and attended IPS, graduating from Northwest High School in 1982. Immediately after graduation Richard moved to California to pursue his dreams of music and dancing. Richard studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise, where he met his lifetime best friend, confidant Anita Fordin-Giese.

Richard worked for Disney and Carnival Cruise lines as a singer/entertainer. Richard joined a dance troop where he auditioned and appeared in various music videos, best known for dancing next to Michael and Janet Jackson in the movie/video Thriller! Richard's passion was music, dancing and Family. Let's not forget his dazzling personality and smile.

Richard received Christ at an early age, attending the Church of the Living God #149, also becoming a member of Faith Tabernacle of Indianapolis. Later he found his final home at LifeJourney Church Indianapolis. Richard married Mary Kaye Harmon in 4/11/1992 and from that union, they had three children, Alexis (Christ Montana) of Oswego Illinois, Courtney Gaines of Palatine Illinois and Nicholas Gaines of Palatine Illinois. Richard's medical issues and declining health forced his family to relocate him back to Indianapolis. The following years started his long battles with dialysis adrenal failure therapy.

Richard met his Life Partner Todd Proper from Lafayette in June of 2022 during Pride month. They started their life together and a year later June 2023 when Todd moved to Indianapolis. The next 3 years were filled with craziness, happiness, love and pain. After 3 different attempts with various Renal Hospitals, on August 2025 Richard was finally approved for a Kidney transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. The transplant went well but immediately after Richard was diagnosed with AML, a terminal form of Leukemia. After fighting hard and never giving up Richard went to God June 24th at 11:47.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Anna Mae And Edward L Gaines. Grandparents, Mary E and William F Daniel's, Margaret Johnson. Two Uncles, Fairleigh Phillips and Edgar Bradshaw. Richard leaves to cherish his memories, two Daughters Alexis Montana, Courtney Gaines and Son Nicholas Gaines. Three Sisters, Toniyevette Brown, Janet (Reginald) Weaver and Pamela Shelman. Uncles: James (Ernestine) Nelson, Thomas (Starla) Daniels. Aunts: Dorothy Daniels and Lydia Ferguson. Richard also leaves his Life Partner, Fiancé, Todd Proper and a host of Friends and the Gay Community he loved so much.