Steve graduated from El Dorado High School in 1971. He did not take the traditional route to college, but later received his BS and MS degrees in Geology from the University of Arkansas.
After graduation, he went to work for Murphy Oil Corporation as a Geologist in their Exploration Department. When the oil business declined in the late 1980’s, Steve followed his other passion and opened Gates Used Cars on N. West Avenue in El Dorado. Anyone that knew Steve, knew of his love of automobiles. He worked to restore many and also loved the world of car racing. He eventually went back to work in the field of oil and gas when he went to work for the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission at the El Dorado Office as a geologist. In 2006, Steve moved his family to Greenwood, Arkansas and became the Assistant Director for the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and ran the Fort Smith office until his retirement in October of 2022. He was a member of the Greenwood United Methodist Church.
Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jan Herrington Gates of Greenwood; two children, Jared Gates and wife, Holly of Greenwood and Emily Stow and husband, Dudley of North Little Rock; two precious granddaughters, Harper Rose Gates and Caroline June “Kai” Gates and two aunts, Shelly Kuhn and Betty Rogers of El Dorado.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, March 4 at the Greenwood United Methodist Church with a reception to follow in the Family Life Center. Cremation is under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Heart of Hospice, 1401 So. Waldron, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
