Louis Gates

Louis Gates, 69, of Cheyenne passed away January 11,2019. He was home, being cared for by his family, when he was taken home to be with his Lord and Savior in Heaven. Louis was born December 21, 1949, in Chicago, IL., son of Florence Gates and the late Lee Gates. Louis grew up in Hibbing, MN and graduated from Hibbing High School, in 1968. He went on to join the Army. Louis served in the Vietnam Era, working in medical records, from 1970 to 1972. He separated from the Army and joined the Veteran Affairs Administration where he worked as a hospital business administrator. He retired in 2005, having served the government for 36 years. While working, and raising his family, Louis earned a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management and graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1979. Louis married the love of his life, Kathleen Blight, on August 22, 1970. Louis and Kathleen were blessed with three biological children, Russell (Jillian) Gates, Kristine (James) Martino, and Gina (Jason) LeBlanc. They also chose to welcome James McCord into their family in 1978. Louis and Kathleen were blessed with 22 grandchildren. Louis had a true servant's heart and was always known for his desire to help anyone in need. When he retired from the VA, he worked on maintaining several rental properties and renovating and selling homes and apartment buildings. When not working on these projects, Louis assisted Kathleen in maintaining her medical practice and volunteering, with Kathleen, for Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child. Louis had a deep faith in God, which led him and Kathleen into several different ministries. Together, they were Operation Christmas Child Area Coordinators for Southeast Wyoming and personally donated hundreds of Christmas boxes every year. Louis was fortunate enough to travel to Uganda to participate in distributing these shoe boxes to children. Louis was also very involved in the Cheyenne Evangelical Free Church. He served many years on the worship team, missions team, and elder board. Since Kathleen retired, Louis and Kathleen spent much precious time together, exploring the United States in their motorhome. They visited national parks in all 50 states and their children and grandchildren in Ohio, Louisiana, and Alaska. Louis' helping heart was evident wherever he went. Even on vacations, whenever he was stopped somewhere he would assist his children and family with projects. Louis was seldom seen sitting down and was always up with the sunrise to work. He never tired of spending time with his grandchildren, who loved to be his helpers. Louis is pre-deceased by his father, Lee Gates; father- and mother-in-law, Russell and Virginia Blight (Barton). Louis is survived by his mother, Florence Gates; his loving wife, Kathleen Gates (Blight); son, Russell; daughters, Kristine and Gina; foster son, James; brothers, Patrick and Myrick; sister, Coetta; his brothers-in-law Gerry and John; sisters-in-law Patty, Linda, and Stella, and their families who he loved very much. A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, January 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Cheyenne Evangelical Free Church. Cremation is under the care of Schrader, Aragon, and Jacoby Funeral Home. Donations, in Louis' memory, may be made to Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online/

Service

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 11:00am

Cheyenne Evangelical Free Church

7006 North College Drive

CHEYENNE, WY 82009

Interment

Mountain View Memorial Park Cemetery

10701 North Yellowstone Road

CHEYENNE, WY 82009