Steven Brent Gates

  Steven Brent Gates, 75, left this world before his cue on March 21st, 2025. Steve was born the son of Charles and Geneva Gates at Travis Air Force Base, California, on November 27th, 1949. He was sandwiched between two older brothers, Charlie and George Gates, and two younger sisters, Karen Nemesh and Brenda Naul. His family moved from base to base around the world before settling down in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

  As a young man, he raised his son, Steven Gates, and daughter, Kimberley Gates, with his first wife, Fran Belyeu, while serving 12 years in the United States Army. Many of his fondest memories were of their chapter stationed in Germany. He later raised his daughters, Savannah and Chloe Gates, with his second wife, Janice Landon Gates, on a small farm west of Amarillo, Texas. Steve retired as the Business Administrator of Texas Tech Family Medicine after 28 years. He and Janice followed their daughters to Weatherford, Texas, where he spent his last five years keeping busy on their little countryside piece of paradise.

  All four children inherited Steve’s natural athletic, mechanical and musically inclined qualities as well as his rich sense of humor and ornery smirk. He was a master of tinkering and creative “engineering.” He shared a special bond with animals, was intensely moved by the arts, and could talk for hours about music in fine detail. He found great joy in the ritual of gathering over a meal with wine or whiskey flowing, listening, laughing, and storytelling with all “his girls.” It was late in life that Steve entertained the pursuit of wonder and realized his fulfillment in exploring new experiences with his loved ones. His grand finale was spent tasting his way through Italy with the family in October 2024.

  Steve is survived by his wife; three daughters; daughters-in-law, Melissa Collins and June Gates; granddaughters, Jessica Womack and Blayke Rae Guzman; great-granddaughter, June Louise Womack; four siblings, six nieces, and 12 nephews.

  There will not be a service held, but donations to Manna Storehouse (Weatherford, Texas) in his honor would be greatly appreciated. He can be visited at a later date in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery for Veterans.