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John Gates Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Gates
al gates
January 18, 2025
blue skies, my brother. I think about you often. my friend see you when I see you.
Jeni Williamson
January 18, 2022
We miss Johnny very much he wasn't jut an employee he was a great friend. Forever in our heart. Till we meet again
al gates
January 19, 2008
january 19, 2008- hi brother, thinking about you today. i can't believe it has been a year since you took the big jump. i know you are soaring. miss you......al
al gates
January 19, 2008
today is saturday jan 19 2008. hi brother, it was 1 year ago on a saturday the you made your last and longest dive. i know you are soaring in the clouds. i think about you often. al
albert gates
July 13, 2007
happy birthday brother. i miss you. al
Cathy Bacigalupi
July 11, 2007
Friday's your birthday, Jack. I always tried to send you an outrageous card. Don't have postage for a heavenly delivery. Miss you alot. Always will.
February 3, 2007
Grandpa-
Thank you for showing me how precious life is and how much fun it can truly be...this whole experience makes me want to hug my mom and dad tighter, and now makes me want to push the limits of excitement. Can't wait to skydive with you one day!!
Your buckwheat!!
Cody
jeni williamson
January 30, 2007
Our dear friend Johhny!! How you will be missed by us and many others. Your smile always brighten our days when you worked for us. You watched our 2 kids grow up and felt that you were their grandpa.Our thoughts and prayers will be with your family now. As you always would say " Be good and have fun as a bonus" We love you man.
David, Jeni, Aaron & Ashlee Williamson
Kim Morris
January 27, 2007
Uncle Jack-
It saddend me so not to be able to make the trip to Florida to say goodbye to you and to be there with my dad and sisters and the rest of the family, especially Robin, John and Linda. I was with them all in spirit yesterday. I still remember our family trip to Las Vegas a few years ago and how much fun we all had! Our group being searched at the top of the Stratosphere Hotel for parachutes because of your "skydive" jacket (a story I still love to tell!) and our wild night at the Dueling Pianos bar at New York New York Hotel. You will aways be my wild, crazy, fun uncle who never seemed to slow down! Give Grandma and Grandpa a kiss for me, that's the only bright light I can see in your passing is that you are all together. I will never foret you, Uncle Jack, how could I? Love, Kim
January 27, 2007
Dad, our family has such wonderful memories of you. We love you and miss you. Our lives will never be the same. Thank you for everything you did for me over the years. You made me the person that I am today. I am proud of who I am and where I came from. We will continue to make you proud!! We will be in Z-Hills today - You have a wonderful family at Skydive City. All of your brothers & sisters at the "dropzone" will be celebrating your life today with a sunset skydive. We will be their to celebrate with them. Take Care, until we see you again!! We love you and miss you!! Blue Skies!! With Love, Robin & Randy.
Albert Gates
January 26, 2007
to my brother. i could not believe it when i got the call and you were gone. we had so much fun in september and we each said " i love you bro" why did we do that? what did we know? i miss you and think about you. i promise that i will always be there for linda if she needs help. see ya!
Wally
January 26, 2007
Johnny,
I'll always remember you from the old Z-Hills when George and Betty had it. The "van" parked under the trees and enjoying skydiving, friends and "watching the world go by". You were a fixture then and still a fixture to the end. Yahoo!!!, I will miss you and your powerful voice on all the drop zones that I have been at when you were there. "Blue Skies to you my Friend!"
johnny OOOOOOO
January 26, 2007
I did not know johnny,But i envy his life much!He made a huge impact on the people around him in a positive way.Remarkable man!
Sue Draughn
January 26, 2007
I knew Johnny many years ago from the jump center-he was a great guy. God bless
Charles Quist
January 25, 2007
I used to cave dive with Johnny many years ago. To say that he lived life to the fullest is an understatement. His booming laugh and grin were infectious, and he touched all that he came in contact with. Johnny, we celebrate your life, and you can go knowing that the world is a better place because you were in it. It was a privilege to know you.
Kenneth Brier
January 25, 2007
I met Johnny back in 1979 at Cannon Buick an he insatnly became my freind , in which he alway's remained.
Johnny I'm going to miss you untill I get here to heaven to see you again. Just look at you ,you can really fly now , Got on some pretty fancy wing's there my friend.
Untill I met you there YAHOO Cheif
Cathy Bacigalupi
January 24, 2007
My funny, daring, puppy dog friendly and always "over the top" brother, Jack died Saturday. He was 68 years, 6 months and 7 days old.
I last saw him in September when he attended my surprise birthday party, jumping out from behind a door, scaring the bejebbers out of me.
Our last conversation, Christmas day was a family affair, each of us enjoying wonderful conversations with him, each one peppered with the sign-off, "Yahoo".
The oldest member of his skydiving club in Zephyrhills, he made his grandest leap on Saturday. Now he soars his beloved Blue Sky, never again worrying about the weather. It was always sunny In Jack's world.
I am remembering so many moments from our lives. I still have the little pink lamb vase he sent my mother when I was born, with a note that read "momy, I'm so glad the baby is a gril"! I remember him "protecting" me from my brother "Skip's" frequent attempts to "torture" his pesky little sister. I remember crying my eyes out when at the "ripe" old age of 16, he flew away to Air Force basic training.
How did so many years pass? Now he is gone and my brother Al and I are the only 2 "kids" left. My sadness is so thick I cannot see through it. I know he is with Mom and Dad now, and a joyful reunion it must be. But I am sad for all of us; myself, my brother Al, Linda, Robin, John, the "grands" and his little doggie "Laptop". I'm sure "L.P." doesn't understand why his Dad isn't there.
My world is definitely getting smaller. Greatful for each new day, I know there is no guarantee of another.
What a blessing that Jack died doing what he loved, but dang, it was just too, too soon. I guess now he can say that he is, truly, "Watching the world go 'round."
Love you, Jack.
Your "baby" sister, Cathy ... Yahoo!
Beverly Cain ~MB#3592
January 24, 2007
Met Johnny a few years back in ZHills. Was muffed on a 12-way. Always looked forward to seeing him there in the Hills. Truly a spectacular human being, a font of levity. He will be forever missed and never forgotten.
One of the greatest gifts the Big Guy gave us is our memories. May they comfort his family and all of us at this time.
Blue Skies, Johnny.
Polly "Mom from Quincy" Welcher
January 24, 2007
Johnny, I will love you always. You where "one of my sons". I will always remember you leaving Quincy mooning us before you got on the plane! The convention will never be the same without you.
Lori and Brandy Koontz
January 24, 2007
I met Johnny at the World Free Fall Convention, in Quincy, Il. He talked me into jumping out of a perfectly good plane for the first time, when I had never even been in a plane before! My daughter grew up with "Uncle Johnny". We have many wonderful memories of a very special man. Johnny will be missed by us very much. He was a wonderful friend who loved his life, his family, and his friends. Blue skies Johnny, blue skies.
Kendra Fawcett
January 24, 2007
I met Johnny while he worked at carrs and went racing with David...Me and my family were also part of the racing team...He was a great man and will be missed..He was fun to be around...He died doing something he loved!! My thoughts are with his family!! RIP!
Martin Jones
January 24, 2007
I only met Johnny last summer and it was brief but , my memory of him will stay with me till the end of my days, Fly Forever Johnny.
"Art" Cozier
January 24, 2007
Good memories of water skiing days with Johnny!
stewart mueller
January 24, 2007
i first met johnny at cannon buickand immediatly knew he was special. i remember how he told of the rush of his first jump. the parties we had at his home ,his laugh,his smile.he left us doing what he truly loved
Katie Blue (Muff #3556)
January 24, 2007
I met Johnny and the rest of the Muff Brothers Gang when I ventured off and attended the Harvest Moon Boogie in 2004. Johnny insisted I ride the whale but I didn't think I was worthy. He made it a truly special day for me and I will never forget the welcomeness I felt from him and the gang. Blue Skies.
Mark Hussey
January 24, 2007
I had the pleasure of being the son-in-law of Johnny Gates and getting to know the entire wonderful Gates family. I always felt at home with him and have many wonderful memories of good times spent. I was once an Army paratrooper and though I never did any sport parachuting, we had that in common--those of us who have "put our knees in the breeze". Last Saturday, you flew higher, faster and further than any other jumper. God's speed my friend, YAHOO!!!
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