Kenneth Gage

Kenneth W. Gage, 72 died March 21, 2014, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loved ones in Tolleson, AZ after a lengthy illness.  Mr. Gage was born to E.G. Gage and Mary Wise on March 29, 1941 in Littlefield, TX.  He moved to Arizona as a young child and attended Avondale Elementary and Agua Fria High School.  He served as a Private in the Army and was stationed in Germany until he was medically discharged.  In 1963 he married Doris Hall and together they had two daughters, Melissa and Kathy.  He spent his younger adult years as a working cowboy, auto mechanic, heavy equipment driver and even learned the trade of horse shoeing.  Later he worked for Caterpillar in White Tanks as a heavy equipment mechanic and transferred with the company when operations were moved to Green Valley, AZ.  He retired in 1998.  He was an avid NASCAR fan and watched every western ever made.  In the past few years he enjoyed making saddles and other leather projects.  One of his all-time favorite things to do was eat Mexican food at Raul and Theresa’s.  He is preceded in death by his mother Mary Wise.  He is survived by his wife of 50 years Doris Gage; parents E.G. and Barbara Gage; two daughters, Melissa Ramirez (Paul) and Kathy Kibbee (Jim); one sister, Bobbie Stewart; six brothers, Kelly Gage, Al Gage, Gary Wise, James Wise, Robert Wise and David Wise; twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  A Celebration of Life was held on March 23, 2014.  In his honor family and friends ate Raul and Theresa’s at the family home.  Memorials can be made to Hospice of the Valley.  Condolences can be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/guestbook.