White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Raymond O. Gates, 81 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.  He was born on October 13, 1934, in Independence, the son of Raymond Cyrus and Nesida (Abbott) Gates.  He graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1954. Then, he served in the U.S. Navy.  On February 14, 1960, he and the former Patricia Louise Rokes were married at the Immanuel Lutheran Parsonage in Independence.  Mr. Gates was the head custodian for East Central Iowa R.E.C. in Independence and also later, the custodian at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  He retired from the R.E.C. in 1993.

Mr. Gates was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.  He enjoyed coffee every morning with friends, working in his yard, and growing tulips.  He was a sports fan and liked to watch the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and NASCAR races.  He was also a fan of high school and college wrestling (otherwise known as “rasslin”).

Mr. Gates is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pat, 2 son, Greg (Jane) Gates of Independence, Iowa, and Bob (June Kelley) Gates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1 daughter, Sue (Ed) Gipper of Independence, Iowa, 7 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by 1 sister, Shirley Brace of Independence, and 1 sister-in-law, Norma Gates of Independence.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, L.E. “Buster” Gates, 1 brother-in-law, Kenny Miller, and 1 daughter-in-law, Emmie Gates.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence with Pastor Greg DeBoer officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, May 2^nd, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.