Charles O. Gates Jr.

Chuck was born September 12th, 1925 to Charles O. Gates, Sr. and Mary Gates (nee Beattie) in White Rocks, Utah. At an early age his parents relocated to Colorado, the place he always thought of as home. He truly did live a fortunate and blessed life. He commented recently that he had never applied for a job. His work and career opportunities always found him December 6th, 1941 saw him wearing number 19 as starting fullback for the Fort Collins High School Lambkins football team in the State Championship game which they won. The next day was Pearl Harbor and his life, like that of many others, was transformed by that event. He graduated from high school a semester early to join the Marine Corps, leaving behind his lifelong sweetheart and love, Anna Nadine Hagins. They were married in 1946 while he was still in the service and enjoyed 68 years together as man and wife. After the war, Chuck attended Colorado A&M, now CSU. He played football there until he suffered a serious hamstring injury that ended his career. His love of the game, however, was not dampened. Upon graduation he and his bride moved to Hotchkiss, Colorado where he taught and coached. Hotchkiss was followed by a move to Laporte, Colorado where at a very young age he became Principal, Superintendent and Head Football coach for what was then Cache La Poudre High School. A few short years later opportunity again knocked on his door and he found himself moving his young family to Bakersfield, California. For many years he was employed by Kern Union High School District. First as a teacher, counselor and coach at Bakersfield high School. He moved on to become Dean of Boys at the newly opened Foothill High School. From there he became Assistant principal at Shafter High School. Finally ending his career in education as Principal of McFarland High School. Upon retirement, Chuck moved to Cayucos, California where he tried his hand as a commercial fisherman aboard his beloved boat the "Pan Mar" and as a general handy man. Always busy and needing to be doing something he was either working on his own projects or helping neighbors and friends improve their lives. At long last, Chuck could not resist the draw of Colorado which had become his summer home; leasing and living in the remote county store in the Poudre Canyon at Kinikinik where he had spent his summers as a child while he and his sister Mary helped their mother operate the store and guest cabins, while his father worked for the county road crew. If you ever drive up the Poudre Canyon and pass through the tunnel, know that Chuck's Dad was responsible for blasting that hole open for you. 10 years ago Chuck relocated once more, this time to his life's last stop. Selling his beach house in California, he moved with his wife to Ft. Collins where he enjoyed tending to his property, gardening and being involved in endless projects and experiments that pretty much only made sense to him. Through the years the great joy of Chuck's life was vacationing in Colorado, teaching his children and grandchildren the proper way to camp, fish and make fires. He leaves behind his loving wife of 68 years, Nadine, who was with him when he passed on Thanksgiving night. His daughter, Charla Whitman (David) of Los Osos, California and his son Michael of Ft. Collins. Also surviving him are grandsons Charles Anderson (Polly), Christopher Whitman and Matthew Whitman (Jaclyn) and his granddaughter Julie Madden (Jeff) He will also be missed by his nephews Danny, Ward, Lisle, John , Gary, Ron, Tim and Jedd as well as his beloved nieces Mary Ellen, Sue, Marty, Becky, Ruth and Cheryl. Four great grandchildren. Wallace Anderson, Quincy Anderson , Brody Madden and Caraline Madden are also left behind. He will be missed as well by many great nieces and nephews. The family wants to thank the staff at Fort Collins Good Samaritan Village for the extraordinary care and genuine love they gave to Chuck during the final two years of his life. We will be forever grateful to them and we know he is now missing his Good Samaritan Aides even though he is frolicking in heaven with his parents and brothers Dan and Walter and sister Mary who proceeded him in death. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, December 2nd, in the Chapel at the Fort Collins Good Samaritan Village. 508 W. Trilby Rd., Ft. Collins, Colorado. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Collins Good Samaritan Village, 508 W. Trilby Rd., Fort Collins, CO, 80525.

Charles O. Gates Jr.

September 12, 1925 - November 27, 2014