Coke "C.L." Loyd Gage, Jr.

Coke Loyd “C.L.” Gage, Jr. was born in Decatur, Texas on February 7,

1947, and on September 23, 2025—at the age of exactly 78 years, 7

months, and 16 days—he received his wings. True to form, he probably

started telling his first story before they even finished checking him in at

Heaven’s gate.

C.L. was the son of Coke Loyd Gage, Sr. and Angie Marie Drygould. He

was united in marriage on October 1, 1979, to Patricia “Patti” Lynn Mason

in Fort Worth, Texas. For the next 47 years, Patti was his partner, his

confidante, travel companion and the love of his life.

C.L. was larger than life, the kind of man you couldn’t help but notice when

he walked into a room—not just because of his booming laugh or tall

cowboy frame, but because of that trademark ear-to-ear grin that could

outshine the Texas sun. He lived every single day to the fullest, and if you

ever sat down with him, chances are you left with a story (or three) you’d

never forget.

Over his 78 years, C.L. wore many hats—literally and figuratively. He

proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from

1966 to 1970. After his service, he built his career as a landman and later

as an oil & gas operator, founding Lone Star Land and Cattle Company.

But ask him his favorite pursuit, and you’d get two answers: pigeons and

horses. A lifelong pigeon racer, C.L. stood in leadership positions for the

American Racing Pigeon Union and never missed an opportunity to tell a

tale about his birds. C.L. stood in many leadership positions for American

Racing Pigeon Union. From his biography from 2023 he says this about

his introduction to pigeon racing: “I grew up around pigeons as boy on our

farm with my family, his grandad started sending home “rollers” from

Europe in WW2 from England and France. After I got out of the Navy, and

started working in the oil fields I met a man named Red Herzer, he had

crates in the back of his truck most of the time. That started a 20-year

friendship that got me started in racing homers, sions, stassarts and

bastins. I think it was about 1973.” C.L’s own Lonestar Loft hosted a one

loft race the “Texas Shootout” for 16 years. To quote a post from the Texas

Center of Racing Pigeon Center to reference his passing: “C.L.’s passion

for the sport of racing pigeons was unmatched. His knowledge, stories, and

wisdom guided countless fanciers through the years, and his dedication

helped shape the Texas Center into what it is today. He gave freely of his

time, shared his experience generously, and always encouraged others to

strive for their best.” He’s obviously made lots of friends with his like-

minded pigeon folks all his life. C.L. grew up around Quarter horses and

recently in the last 10 years he got back into Horseracing, keeping

broodmares, stallions, and young hopefuls in training. They started with

about 20 brood mares and stallions and keep around ten 2-year olds in

training. In 2019, his horses qualified in both the All-American Futurity and

the All-American Derby—an achievement he credited to Reed Racing

Stables, though anyone who knew him knew his grit and determination had

plenty to do with it too.

If you’re here, you know he dabbled in a little of everything over the years,

which includes honky-tonk owner, goat breeder, a cattleman and an

entrepreneur in business and real estate. He was an avid fisherman going

to Brazil for Peacock Bass for the past 21 years(and the competition was

fierce between he and Patti, but she pretty much won most of the time), a

hunter and had one of the largest Deer Hunting Collection in 1983, and

above all, a man who found joy in the work of his hands and the wide-open

spaces of Texas. He would talk ranching one minute and racing pigeons

the next, and he loved to tell you a story about all of it!

He was also deeply involved in civic life in Wise County, known for his

philanthropy and his leadership in the Decatur community.

In 1990, after the death of his mother Marie, C.L’s middle brother Louis

Wayne moved in with Patti and C.L. He flourished under their roof and

learned many things until his death in 2016 at ripe OLD AGE of 67 years

old.

In 1978 he met Patti Mason at the Honky-tonk he owned briefly and a year

later October 1 st 1979 they began a life of 47 years! Patti! Every one of us

heard that boom - PATTI!! She has been there for and with him every

minute of every day since the day they said” I do”!

Reading from one of the Biographies he wrote in 2023 about his life, he

says this about PATTI:

“Now we’ll get down to the gal that holds it all together, my wife Patti. She

grew up in Fort Worth. We met in Honkytonk, I owned for a short time and

married and have been married for 45 years.

She’s a whiz, never tires. Took in all grandkids activities and devoted

herself to the family. She is a cosmetologist, big name for beautician.

She’s had her own shop for 31 years. She keeps up with all the horses

and pigeons. We have quarter horses. I grew up around them and got

back in five years ago. So we spend a lot of time at the track. She likes to

gamble also. Patti is the bookkeeper, keeping up with the horse registry

details and knows them all by my name. I am 76 years old and I will say

it’s been a ride, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

C.L. leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Patti, who was the anchor to his

sails, his son Will Gage and wife Keeley, his daughter Traci Gage

Peacock, and five grandchildren who adored their “Big Dad”—Nate

Gage and wife Lindsey, Luke Gage and wife Maddie and their son

River, Carsyn Bailey, Marley Gage Wadlington and husband Trey and

their daughter Clara, and Paxton Peacock, brothers, George Gage of

Mississippi and Stephen L. Gage of Dallas and sister, Marsha Gage of

Decatur; nephew, Germery Rodden, and niece, Katherine Gage and

numerous nieces, nephews cousins, extended family and a host of

friends.

Gerre Joiner will officiate. Pallbearers include Kash Reed, Blaine Mason,

Michael Mason, Andrew Gage, Chase Chapman, Chad Montgomery, Clay

Montgomery, and Dalton Shaw. C.L’s Honorary Pallbearers being some

his friends for over 40 years: Dan Singleton, Dan Harvey, Kenny Kelley,

Keith Berry, Austin Bowles, Larry Short, Ralph Donaho, Randy Cross,

Butch Shoop, John Coker, Tommy Edwards, Dalton Montgomery, Roland

Gutiereiz

He was a heck of a guy—no better way to put it.

His legacy is one of laughter, grit, generosity, and a reminder to live big,

love deeply, and always have a good story ready.

So, share a tale, flash a grin and “lookout for those muggers”—C.L.

wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Texas Ladies Auxiliary at P.O. Box 856 Decatur, TX 76234 and TLCA C/O Patti Gage P.O. Box 856 Decatur, TX 76234.