Search by Name
Menu
Search by Name
Jay G. Gates (John George)
Naples, FL
On Sunday November 18, 2012 Jay took another step on his Christian Faith journey. He was under the care of Avow Hospice at the Arbor Glen care center.
Jay G. Gates was born August 15, 1926, the only child of Francis F. and Myra Laupus Gates. Unfortunately, Myra died within months of his birth. He was blessed to have a marvelous step-mother, Sara Gayle Gates, who joined his family in 1928. Jay was raised in Seymour, Indiana, where he became an Eagle Scout. He graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1944 when he was 17. Because WWII was still being fought, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy Pilot training. This Annapolis program was on many University campuses. He was assigned fist to DePauw University where he met his future wife Betty Lee Cramer. In 1945 the war ended and only the outstanding students continued in the program. He was then assigned to Purdue University. In 1947 he received a BS in Naval Science and Tactics and his commission in the Navy. He continued at Purdue and received his BS in Electrical Engineering and did graduate work in Economics.
His first employment was with the Cincinnati Gas and Electric Co. He worked a few years in sales for companies that manufactured electrical distribution equipment. This led to living with his wife and 2 children in Jackson, Mississippi. One more son joined the family there.
In 1957 he returned to Cincinnati to start his own company, selling several kinds of electrical distribution equipment to utilities and original equipment manufacturing companies. His territory was 2/3 of Ohio, Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Jay was a registered Professional Electrical Engineer. He served as President of the national Electrical Equipment Representatives Association.
As an adult, he continued to support Scottish Rite Masonry and his fraternity, Delta Upsilon.
Jay was generous with his time and friends, serving as Trustee, ordained deacon and elder in his church wherever he lived.
In 1984 he sold his company to his Vice President, John Commons. All four of their children had finished college and settled outside Cincinnati and Jay and Lee decided to move full time to Naples, FL. They were still young enough to enjoy extensive travel. When home, they boated at Wiggins Pass and played golf at Imperial Golf Club.
Jay is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Lee Gates; daughter, Sally L. Gates Cash (David) of Lexington, KY; three sons, Robert L. Gates (Donna) of Cold Spring, KY, Michael J. Gates (Bonnie) of West Palm Beach, FL and Steven J. Gates (Carol) of Cincinnati, OH; as well as eight grandchildren: Amy Strohmeier (Doug), Birmingham, AL, Emily Brittingham (Jeff) of Lexington, KY, Ryan Gates of San Diego, CA, Andrew Gates of Decatur, IL, Sara Gates Counihan (Joe) of Tequesta, FL, Laura Gates of Chicago, IL, Scott Gates of Los Angeles, CA, and Katie Gates of Cincinnati, OH; four great-grandchildren: Abigayle Strohmeier, Gates Strohmeier, Beckett Brittingham and Emerson Brittingham. Jay deeply loved his family and had many happy memories when they could all gather for special celebrations.
A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, November 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gates Chapel of Naples United Church of Christ, 5200 Crayton Road.
A reception will follow at Tower Pointe, 1001 Arbor Lake Dr., Naples.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Naples United Church of Christ or the Jay and Lee Gates Fund of the Collier County Community Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
The electric power industry will miss Mr. Gates and his contributions, as he was very well respected as a true professional and gave back through his reciprocity with the EERA.
Our prayers are with his family.
Mark McCloy
December 7, 2012
Thank you for letting me know. Such fond memories from such a long time. My sympathies to all your family.
Nancy Bishop
December 6, 2012
We both want you to know that the entire Gates family is in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time for you. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to make things easier for you.
Jim and George Ann Wesner
December 2, 2012
I thihk of all of the Gates family as wonderful neighborhood (Winlake Drive) friends. Jay and his laughter and kindness will be greatly missed. On behalf of the Brown family, and Jane Brown who passed away in September, you have our deepest sympathies.
Fondly,
Jill Brown Sykes
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Jill Brown Sykes
November 30, 2012
Jay and my husband Bill had a special friendship back in their Northminster days..good memories..Lois
November 25, 2012
Sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. I knew him here in Cincinnati, and spent some time with him and sharing life changes. I understand the loss of a father and grandfather, and know that God will be with you in your time of sorrow.
Jim Bowles
November 25, 2012
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more