Raymond M. Gates
December 19, 2008
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Service Details
Raymond M. Gates, 74, died Friday, December 19, 2008 at his home in Ankeny, Iowa. He was born October, 27, 1934 in Britt, Iowa.
Raymond served in the United States Army, from 1953 until his honorable discharge in 1956. He married Dixie Herndon of Clarion, Iowa in March of 1957.
He worked as a custodian for the Eagle Grove Schools until his retirement in 1991. Raymond enjoyed fishing and woodworking and being with his family.
Raymond is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Dixie Gates, his three sons, Terry Gates of Northglenn, Colorado, Rick (Elaine) Gates of Ankeny, Iowa and Dan (Diane) Gates also of Ankeny, Iowa, seven grandchildren, Ryan (Chelsea), Brandon, Nathan and Hannah Gates, Jaime (Rich) Lawson, Kelli (Brian) Reinhart and Heidi (Steve) Wilwerding; great-grandchildren, Alexis Mosher, Zachary Mosher, Tanner Lawson, Max Lawson, Adam Lawson, Brady Reinhart, Jayden Garcia, Kale Wilwerding and Carson Reinhart; his sisters Mildred Johnson of Rockwell, Iowa and Ruby Taylor of Garner, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, two brothers and his grandson, Johnathan.
Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 22, 2008 at Saylorville Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. A visitation with family present will be from 1 – 3 p.m., Sunday, December 21, 2008 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60 Ave., Des Moines, Iowa.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the family in loving memory of Raymond of which the family will distribute at a later date.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Cindy Taylor & Paul Sperrazza
12/22/2008
Dear Aunt Dixie, Terry, Rick & Elaine, and Dan & Diane & families,
We send this to you with love and sympathy! You are in our prayers, as you celebrate Uncle Ray's life, and we thank God for the blessings of having him with you and us all these years.
My memories of Uncle Ray bring a smile to my face. He was kind, caring, loving, generous and always had a twinkle in his eye! Even when he was struggling with his health, he never failed to offer a smile and a word of encouragement or caring to others. For me personally, a big bear hug from Uncle Ray will stand out as my most comforting and happy memory! There are many memories to be sure, and we will hold al of them close to our hearts at this time of loss. The Gates reunions hold a special meaning as well!
We praise God for His wonderful promises, and know that Ray has been welcomed by our Loving Savior to abide with Christ and the realm of saints that have gone before him. He is truly at rest, free from earthly pain, and forever praising God in Heaven.
Truly we are thankful for his life, for all of you, and for God's blessings at this time! We Love all of you.
In Sympathy and Love,
Cindy & Paul (from California)
Howard Taylor
12/21/2008
Dixie and Family
Marcia and I send our sympathy, I hope you are able to rejoice in the life of Uncle Ray. There are so many things you think about when a loved one passes on, but I know you are comforted by knowing God's grace and knowing that he had accepted that grace.
I was looking forward to spending time with the family tomorrow morning and helping you celebrate his life and the memories. After Pat went out and looked at the roads late this afternoon it was not a good plan to be on the road early in the morning.
Wish I could be with you tomorrow to comfort you, may God give you all strength to deal with your sorrow.
Howard
Connie Jorgensen
12/21/2008
Dixie,
I was sorry to see Ray's name in the paper yesterday. I had no idea where you were since you left EG. I left there in 1993 and live and work in Indianola as a massage therapist. You were always one of my favorite people so, of course, I am sorry you are facing this loss for you and your family. Please know that I will be lifting you up in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days.
Connie Jorgensen
404 S. Kenwood
Indianola, Iowa 50125
Jason Douglas and Kim Oswald
12/19/2008
Dixie and Family,
Our hearts are saddened upon the recent passing of Ray. May you know we are uplifting you with our sincere thoughts and prayers. He was a very caring man with a genuinely warm smile. May your loss be filled with special memories of a wonderful man. May the Lords strength be with you, Dixie and the Gates family.