Sergeant Major Joseph Walter Gates

Sergeant Major Joseph Henry Walter Gates was born to Anna Lebedz Gates and James Gates of Syracuse, NY, on April 13, 1941. He attended private Catholic school, graduated, then became a paid Eagle Scout in the Pennsylvania Foothills before joining the USMC. Joe proudly served his country from May 1960 until he retired in May 1981. During his military career, he participated in the "Bay of Pigs," valiantly fought in Vietnam, served as a military advisory task team member on Vietnam, guarded the U.S. Embassy in Naples, Italy, and later guarded the Panama Canal. Upon retiring from military service, he married Juanita P. Snyder on May 11, 1982, and moved to the Northland of KCMO where he resided until his death on July 12, 2009. He served as the Facility Security Supervisor of KCATA Metro Bus Terminal in downtown KC for 24 years until his health forced him into retirement. His part-time jobs were courier for Via Bancourier, Inc., for over 12 years and assistant manager of the Enlisted Club at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., for seven years. Joseph was preceded in death by his mother and father and one grandson, Joseph Reed Handley. He is survived by his wife, Juanita P. Gates; a sister, Marcella and husband George Anderson of Beach Lake, Pa.; his twin sister, Joan McIntyre of Manasquan, NJ; mother-in- law, Ruby W. Snyder of Hamburg, Iowa; sons, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph H. Gates Jr. and wife Han of Fort Gordon, Ga., Steven Wayne Gates, Anthony Lee Gates and wife Nichol, Bryan Lyn Gates and wife Tammy, all of Beaufort, SC, and J.W.A. Mather and wife Kimberly of KCMO; daughters, Paullette D. Kiff and husband Ronald of Parkville, Mo., Muree Lynn Handley and husband Dennis of Kearney, Mo., Mickee Ritchie and husband Matt of Gardner, Kan., and Vickie Rae Hickerson and husband Tom of Fulton, Mo.; 20 grandchildren; one great- grandson and many other family members and friends. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, July 17, at Hope Fellowship Baptist Church, 8350 N. Conant Ave., KCMO 64152. Burial in Hampton Cemetery, KCMO. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 N. Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119. Arr.: White Chapel, (816) 452- 8419.