Steven Gates

Steve Gates, longtime resident of the Ralston and Fairfax area passed Thursday morning, July 1, 2010. Steve was born August 3, 1951 in Pawnee, Oklahoma, the son of William Herbert Herb Gates and Billie D. Dooley Gates. He was 58 years of age. Steve was raised in Osage County in the Big Bend community west of Ralston and was a 1970 graduate of Fairfax High School.

After graduation, Steves love of working with his father and Herbs loving way of teaching his sons the craft of carpentry, naturally led Steve to work in the family construction business. In 1973 Steve started his own custom harvesting service and traveled north following the wheat harvest, where he met the love of his life, Ms. Barbara Jean Clark, in Gettysburg, South Dakota. He married Barbara on October 25, 1975 in Fairfax, making their first home in Ponca City before returning to the Big Bend area. The couple eventually built their dream home together with their children, outside of Ralston. Steve went to be with his Lord and Savior in their home after a seven year battle with cancer.

He was a member of the Ralston First Baptist Church and his enjoyments included his grandchildren, working and visiting with others. Steve will be remembered by many for the beautiful homes he built. He had a strong willed ability and belief in his craft, his love of family, life, the Lord, and especially his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his many friends, family and coworkers, for which he always took great care and enjoyed immensely.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Jean, of the home his two daughters, Joni Gates Murphy and husband, Chris, of Grainola, Oklahoma and Cathy Gates LeForce and husband, Daniel, of Pawnee one son, William Glenn Gates and Paige Hadlock, of Fairfax grandchildren, Gavin Gates, the son of the late Clark Gates, Madelyn and Ella Murphy, Lainy and Camille LeForce and Gunner Gates brothers, Mark Gates and Tracy Gates and sister, Stacie Gates Sanford stepbrother, Dana Fisher and stepsister, Karen Fisher Miles numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Herb Gates, his mother, Billie Dooley Gray and one son, Steven Clark Gates.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at the First Osage Baptist Church in Fairfax with Rev. Eddie W. James of the Masham Baptist Church presiding. Burial will be in the Pixley Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers are William Gates, Mark Gates, Daniel LeForce, Christopher Murphy, Terry Dooley, Larry Dooley, David Goad, Lewis Myers and Bob Bright. Honorary casket bearers are all of Steves cousins, inlaws and close friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 or the Ralston First Baptist Church, 1st and Garfield, Ralston, Oklahoma 74650.