Kim Donald Gates

Salina, Utah - Kim Donald Gates, our beloved husband, father, brother, son, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026, in Provo, Utah, surrounded by his loving family. 

Kim was born on July 24, 1947, in Salina, Utah, to Donald and Helen Gates. Helen tragically passed during childbirth, after which he was lovingly raised by Clark and Jewel Williams. Later, when he was four years old, his father Donald married Doraleen, who helped continue raising him with love and devotion. 

Kim proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as part of the Second Division Signal Group, 57th Assault Helicopter Company, from 1969 to 1971, and remained in the Army Reserves until 1975. His service was a quiet source of pride and earned the deep respect of those who knew him. 

In 1967, Kim married the love of his life, Ruby Ann Nelson, in the St. George Temple. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, resilience, and unwavering devotion—held together, as their family fondly says, with duct tape and bungee cords. They purchased their forever home in 1974, where they raised their six children in a home rooted in hard work, humor, and unconditional love. 

Fish Lake, Utah, was their sacred place. In 1994, Kim and Ruby, alongside their children and spouses, purchased land to build “THE DREAM” — their beloved family cabin. Through summers, winters, and springs, that cabin became the heart of countless cherished memories, echoing with laughter, storytelling, and the joy of family gathered together. 

A hardworking and determined man, Kim built a business from the ground up with his father, Don, beginning in 1956, eventually taking it over in 1974 and continuing the business to this day with his sons. He graduated high school at the age of 16 and attended some college before being drafted, which led him to put his education on hold to fulfill his responsibilities. He had the soul of a poet, expressing depth and feeling through his words whenever he could. He often wrote beautiful poems to his loving wife. 

Kim is survived by his six children: Donnie (Teresa) Gates, Kirby (Angie) Gates, Kimberly (Dave) Roberts, Dustin (Teri) Gates, Jamie Gates, and Joshua (Heather) Gates.

He is also survived by his seventeen grandchildren: Trenton (Lei Alexis) Gates, Melonie (Tim) Mangum, Shilo (Laramy) Madsen, JD Gates, Stetson (Ashley) Gates, Caden Roberts, Stacey Gates (Ray), Felicia Gates (Cobin), Shannon Gates, Tyson (Sabra) Roberts Dusty (Cayden) Bradshaw, Amy (Josh) Willden, Daniel Gates, Brayden Gates, Joslynn Gates, Oakley Gates, and Kye Gates. 

His legacy continues through his cherished great-grandchildren: Ryker Elliott, Ryder Madsen, Dawson Roberts, Tymber Roberts,Brink Madsen, Milo Gates, Julia Gates, Mavryx Madsen, Luna Mangum, Branch Rodriguez, Saint Gates, Bonnie Bradshaw, Knox Madsen, Troy Bradshaw, Maxwell Willden, and Hazley. 

Lovingly adopted into the family were Stephanie Boteilho and Noble Mayo, along with their children Zayden and Huxley, Greyson, Avery, and Sage.

 Kim will be remembered for his steady presence, deep devotion to family, honorable service to his country, and the love he gave so freely. He loved to hunt, fish, camp, and most of all, gather his family together. His older grandchildren fondly remember going to work with him—trucking on the semi, riding in the backhoe, learning to fix pipes in a hole, and gaining lessons that reached far beyond tools and machinery. 

For eighteen years, Kim lived without the earthly presence of his beloved Ruby Ann. Now, he rejoices in being reunited with the love of his life. Their love story continues beyond this life. 

His legacy lives on in the family he built, the values he taught, and the countless lives he touched. 

Kim was preceded in death by his mothers, Helen and Doraleen; his father, Donald; Clark Williams and Jewel Williams; his mother Wenda and father in law Mark; his brothers, Ronnie and Dick; his loving wife, Ruby Ann; his great-grandson, Brink; and many more whom we are sure welcomed him with open arms. 

Funeral services honoring Kim will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, February 20, 2026 at the Salina Stake Center. Viewings at the Stake Center will be held Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. and Friday morning from 9:00-10:30 A.M. prior to services.

Livestreaming of Kim's service will be available under his obituary at springerturner.com 15 minutes prior to start time.

Burial with military honors accorded by Salina American Legion Post #36 will be in the Salina Eastside Cemetery, under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.