Stephen Gates Obituary

Gates
Stephen (Steve) Charles
Gates
August 22, 1943
December 7, 2024

Stephen (Steve) Charles Gates was born in Amarillo, Texas, to Harold Benjamin Gates and Diantha Mayran Lancaster Gates, on August 22, 1943. He was their third son, joining brothers Myron and Jim, and followed by sister Marti. In 1951 the family moved from Texas to Colorado Springs. Steve graduated from Cheyenne Mountain HS in 1961. In 1965 he graduated from Colorado State University, and the US Air Force ROTC, and he entered the USAF as a 2nd Lieutenant.
Steve quickly became a Captain, working as an instructor pilot teaching aviators to fly T37 & T38 jets. He served one Tour of Duty at Phan Rang Air Base during the Vietnam War, 1970-71, flying F4 jets. While he loved flying, he left the Air Force shortly after returning from Vietnam.
He married Karen Beth Hilty, on March 16, 1968, and they welcomed their daughter Beth Mayran Gates on April 21, 1969. They settled in Colorado Springs in 1975, where they made their home together for 37 years. They loved to sing together, play bridge, travel and eat good food!
Steve was happiest helping people. He was easy going and kind. He laughed often, loved listening to music, & being in nature, and he was a smooth dancer. In Colorado Springs Steve was a realtor, then managed the laundry plant at the Broadmoor Hotel, and became a handyman in retirement. In Portland, Steve was a devoted grandfather, helping with Jago, and joining in family dinners and summer travels. He made friends through church, with whom he enjoyed hiking and fellowship. Steve was a welcome guest at any party, he made the BEST chocolate chip cookies.
Steve was a loving and steadfast father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son, husband, & friend. He is survived by daughter Beth Gates, son-in-law Geoff Dorn and grandson Jago Dorn in Portland, sister Marti Miller in Costa Rica, niece and nephew Kris Riley and Chip Miller and their families, and brother-in-law David (and Ann) Hilty and family.
He will be remembered for his sense of humor and kind heart, and he will be dearly missed by all. For info about Steve's Celebration of Life, please email [email protected]