Winton M. Gates

1947 - 2022

Winton (Mike) M. Gates
May 24, 1947 - August 18, 2022
Woodinville, Washington - Winton (Mike) Gates passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2022 in Skagway, AK during a fishing trip with friends. Mike was born in Bellingham and grew up in Ferndale, graduating from Ferndale High School in 1965. Mike was an active member in DeMolay and served as Master Councilor of the Northwest Chapter of DeMolay and went on to receive the Degree of Chevalier, the highest honor of DeMolay, in 1967. Mike moved to Skagway, AK in 1969 where he was employed by the White Pass & Yukon Route railway for the next 14 years. Mike was a third-generation railroad employee from his mother's family and began his career as Hostler Helper and eventually was promoted to Engineer. while in Skagway Mike was involved in community life and was the co-founder of the Dyea Country Club as well as coaching women's and men's softball. When Mike returned to the Whatcom County area he worked at Sea Links Golf Course at Birch Bay and again coached softball for local men's and women's softball teams. Mike later moved to Snohomish County and finished out his working years as a dispatcher and IT support person for the former Wilder (Granite) Construction Company in their Marysville office. Mike never married and had no children but was greatly loved by his family as the oldest son of four children. Mike is proceeded in death by his parents Winton & Maurine Gates, his oldest sister Vicki Hahn and his brother Corrigan L. Gates. Mike is survived by his youngest sister Sydney Bensen of Kent, WA. A celebration of life will be hosted in the spring of 2023 in Ferndale the community Mike loved, grew up in and always returned to.