Donald Henry Gage

DONALD HENRY GAGE, 1935-2018 Donald Henry Gage, of Des Moines, IA, died unexpectedly on December 24, 2018, while visiting family in Arlington, VA. Don is survived by his wife, Marchelle “Max” Gage; sons Geoffrey Gage (Heather Mach) of Arlington, VA, and Douglas Gage of Ithaca, NY; sister Janet Perry of Apalachin, NY; grandchildren William Gage and Caroline Gage; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife and children’s mother, Andrea Koch Gage. Don was born on April 20, 1935, in Buffalo, NY, to Henry and Helen “Olive” Gage. He attended Hamburg High School, Class of ’53, Colgate University, and graduated from the University of Buffalo. After earning a Navy commission and assignment to the Mediterranean, he served with distinction during the Vietnam War as the plank-holding Navigation Officer in USS RICHMOND K TURNER (DLG 20). He left the military to join Meredith Corporation in book sales, re-locating to Des Moines in 1972. Retiring from Meredith in the early 1990s, Don worked for several years with Iowa Realty. More recently, he worked at the Des Moines Art Center, where he also had served as a docent. Don maximized his retirement, volunteering with several groups and serving as a beacon of hope for his weekly business breakfast club. A lifelong athlete, Don skied with his family into his late 70s, enjoyed a regular golf game with friends, and cheered for his beloved New York Yankees each season. His vegetable gardens flourished every summer, supplying his gourmet cooking and bottles of homemade chili sauce and tomato juice. Don particularly enjoyed travel with Max and friends across America, on European river cruises, to regular reunions with his high school classmates, and for visits to far-flung family. A celebration of Don’s life will be scheduled for a later date in 2019. The family would like to thank the first responders of Arlington County, VA, for their professionalism and compassion. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Don’s memory to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or Furry Friends Refuge would be appreciated. Don was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. The family of Donald H. Gage invites you to join in celebrating a life well lived. The informal gathering will take place on April 20, 2019 (Saturday) between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, at the restaurant in the Des Moines Art Center (4700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312). Don crossed the paths, and touched the hearts, of many during his life. Please bring a fond memory of him to share with others as we celebrate our loved one on his 84th birthday.