Gary Allen Gates

Gary Allen Gates of Columbus, IN passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Columbus Regional Hospital with his family by his side. Gary was born May 21, 1948 in Columbus, IN to parents Donald Raymond & Mary Ellen (Hargett) Gates.

Gary was happily retired from working various jobs including being a sewing machine repairman for 25+ years, he also worked various factory jobs, including retiring from Arvin-Meritor and his most recent job, working security up until 2014. Gary will always be remembered for his hard work ethic and his friendliness.

Gary was ornery and loved to joke around with his friends and family. He greatly enjoyed visits from family and friends, especially when those visitors brought him special treats. He would always have bubble gum and other treats for his grandchildren when they came to see him. Gary loved to eat good food, (and he would let you know if it was good or not) and when he was able to still do so, he was a great cook himself. His catch phrase was that he was like a hair in a biscuit!

Gary always enjoyed a good western movie, especially anything with The Duke in it. In his later years, he bought every Hallmark Movie he could get his hands on and could tell you the entire storyline, if you had the time to listen. Bapa Gary always had toys, coloring books, flashlights and just about every movie a kid could want.

Gary was very patriotic and a lover of nature. Gary loved to fly Old Glory and would decorate his home and porch area with seasonal/holiday/patriotic knickknacks and decorations. Those decorations would often incorporate bears and dogs. He also loved watching and feeding birds, his favorite being the hummingbirds.

Gary will be greatly missed by his family and friends, He is survived locally by his daughters Amanda (Andy) Gates, Angela (David) Lancaster and their seven children, brothers Donald (Lorraine) Gates, Rick Gates & Gordon (Alice) Skinner. He is also survived by his sisters Rebecca (Carlyle) Floyd, of North Vernon, Patti (Leo) von Keitz, of Anchorage, AK. Gary was the oldest of the 6 siblings. Gary also had five sons who survive him-Gary, James of Batesville, IN, Ricky (BJ) of Burnet, TX, Kenny of Dayton, TX & Stephen of Fresno, TX and more grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for Gary will be held Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:30 p.m at Rest Haven Cemetery in Edinburgh, IN by Pastor Al White. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to Beloved Collective, Inc., a non-profit that supports foster care families. Go to charitynavigator.org, select Beloved Collective Inc. Select amount, one time donation, and 'donate in honor or memory of a loved one.' Please put "Gary A Gates/Feels Like Home' in the Dedicatee's name box.