Obituary of Arthur LeRoy Gates

From Charley Gates Memoirs: “Another boy came to live with us; February the 28, 1924, 9:45pm.” Art was born in the state of Wisconsin, County of Pierce, Township of Spring Lake, Village of Elmwood; to Genevieve (Patnode) and Charles E. Gates and went to his Lord and Savior on May 13, 2019 in Woodburn, Oregon at the age of 95. Art was the youngest of three children with brother, John L. and sister, Lorraine G. Throughout his life, Art lived many places including moving from Wisconsin to Milton-Freewater, Oregon as a child; and later living in Tillamook, Woodburn, Sisters, Redmond, Albany, Taft, Marion and Brooks. Before graduation, Art joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed in American Samoa during WWII where he served as an officer’s cook. Art was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal on February 1, 1946; and for many years proudly served in the Albany branch of the Marine Corps League. Upon returning to Woodburn, Oregon after his discharge, Art married Juanita M. Sebern. Together they had four children; Jack L., John D., Patricia A. and Pamela S.; who were raised on a family farm in Albany. Art was taught by his father to raise, train, ride and drive horses. He once said, one of his proudest accomplishments, was to have a pair of Palomino matched geldings which he had the opportunity to drive behind a restored Bekins coach in the Albany Timber Carnival parade. Art was taught to work hard and learned many skills throughout his life. He would say, he was a Jack of all trades, Master at none; but his skill and dedication to ‘getting it right’ did not substantiate this claim. He used this knowledge and experience to make a living, teach his children and later serve the Lord in mission work in Arizona and Oregon. Art worked to make a living in many trades including moving buildings, raising livestock and metallurgy. For many years in Albany, Art was also part-owner in ‘The Nulade Farm Store’. Art and Virginia M. Brehm were married on May 22, 1976 by Pastor Earl Book, in Albany, Oregon. Together, for a few years they owned a mobile home park in Taft. Later they began mission work on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona; Camp Davidson and Bethel Park in Oregon. As a third generation building mover, Art was able to use this skill, as well as carpentry and grounds-keeping, to assist these congregations. Art wrote poetry in his youth, loved to read, fish and anything to do with horses. He loved music and would sing in the car or at the player piano. He loved to garden… vegetables, berries, fruit trees, and flowers, especially roses. He was a man of God. He was a Father, a Grandfather and a Great-Grandfather. He was a horseman; sat a saddle well and drove a good team. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Semper Fi Marine