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John Kates Obituary
November 12, 1936 - April 25, 2015
Our beloved John passed away peacefully on April 25, 2015 after a 7-year struggle with Cortico Basal Degeneration. He was born on November 12, 1936 in Staten Island, N.Y. and was raised in Atherton, CA and Pacific Palisades, CA by Patricia Roos and Arthur Kates. He is survived by Gene Gaven, his wife of 41 years, his sons Timothy Roos Kates of Atherton,CA and Christopher John Kates of Edgewater, CO, his daughter Mary Kates Stahl, her husband JeanBernard Stahl, their daughters Melodie and Chloe Stahl of Torrance,CA, his sister Deborah Kates Streiber of Pacific Palisades, CA, and 10 nieces and nephews.He was a graduate of Harvard School in North Hollywood, CA and Stanford University where he earned AB in Medieval History and Columbia University where he earned a MBA in Business and Finance.
John worked at the Sunset News Co., his family's company in Los Angeles for 10 years and at ACTION(Peace Corps and VISTA) in Wash. D. C. for 5 years before a 30 year career at Stanford University where he was the Director of Major Gifts for the Department of Athletics. He was a former President of the Father's Club of St. Raymond's School and a former member of the Parish Council and the Men's Club of the Church of the Nativity. He served on the Board of Regents of St. Patrick's Seminary, the Development Committee of Sacred Heart Preparatory, and chaired several Capital Campaigns for the Church of Nativity. He was a member of the CAL Chancellor's Fund, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Menlo Circus Club, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Stanford Associates. Family and friends are invited to attend a Rosary at 7pm Friday May 8, 2015 and a Funeral Mass at 10am Saturday, May 9, 2015 both at the Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Avenue, Menlo Park, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Nativity.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Kates
Frank Rolfe
July 27, 2025
John was my Stanford advisor in the early 1980s and had a profound influence on me. He was a great listener and always had terrific ideas with a common sense approach. He was pobably the best person I met there.
The Panawek Family
April 25, 2022
Sending love to you all and remembering the kind, welcoming and generous spirit of John.
Martha Baum Carlton
April 25, 2022
John was my first friend in Los Angeles. He knew the value of friendship. I appreciated him so much.
Sally & Greg Panawek
April 26, 2020
Always in our hearts.❤
Henry P. Organ
April 25, 2020
I do remember John as a kind and thoughtful colleague in the Office of Development at Stanford, and now think of him often when I attend services at Nativity Church.
Henry P. Organ
April 25, 2019
I am often reminded of John when I attend Mass at Nativity Church, and see signs of his works of charity. My respect for him contines
Martha Carlton
January 29, 2019
I knew John when Tom Sikes and I had first come to Santa Monica in 1964. John was especially kind to me because he knew how frightening the big city of Los Angeles was to me. He was Tom's first friend in California. I know Tom admired John and his family very much. John was a good man.
ron jones
July 31, 2017
John and I were room mates in Encina hall at Stanford in 1954-1955. I just today learned of his passing. He was a dear kind man and my dear friend. I will miss him more than I can say. Ron Jones Yuma Az.
Walter de Lorrell
October 21, 2015
Bon Chance John. I worked my way through college at Sunset News during the late fifties and early 60's. I worked closely with John, his father and grandfather. The family was extremely kind to me and I retain a letter of reference from his Father, Art, when I left the company.
John was an extremely patient and kind man who I still remember frequently. By chance, I found this site in a nostalgic moment.
My condolences to his family. John made a lasting impression on me and became somewhat of a role model.
Henry Organ
May 14, 2015
I had the pleasure of working with John at Stanford University. A gentleman and professional.
Remembering a very happy Thanksgiving at the White House in Anaheim. Always a great evening with the Kates Family. Love, The Panaweks
Sally Panawek
May 8, 2015
May 8, 2015
To Gene and the family, I am so sorry about the passing of John. What a beautiful person he was, always smiling and greeting me. My deepest sympathy...... Luz Guerra
May 6, 2015
To Gene and family,
We are all saddened by John's passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy. We knew John as a kind and sweet man despite his challenges. We greatly appreciate your caring support of our program with your very special honors.
From the staff of Peninsula Volunteers Rosener House.
May 6, 2015
Dear Gene, Tim, Chris & Mary,
Greg and I remember with great fondness and hold dear the generous and kind spirit of John. He always made us feel so welcome and we admired his sense of family, its importance, and his inclusion of everyone. Our four years with Cal Waterpolo were wonderful in so many ways, but John and your family brought forth the feeling of family within our group and made it ever so much more special. We treasure our friendship with the Kates family and will always carry John's fabulous and generous spirit in our hearts. He will be sorely missed, but we smile knowing his generous ways and loving spirit are here with us in all of you.
Sending all our love,
Greg, Sally, GP, Kate & Steve Panawek
May 4, 2015
My prayers and best wishes and condolences are with you, Mary, Tim, Christopher and Gene. I'm sorry that I cannot be out there for the services and you. Your cousin, Therese
May 4, 2015
We are sorry to learn of the passing of John, but grateful for his service to our nation with ACTION and the Peace Corps.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
May 2, 2015
Gene & Family,
What a tremendous loss to all of you AND our Nativity community. At times, John seemed larger than life to me. He was the consummate gentleman, always generous, kind, diplomatic & insightful.He never failed to ask about our family & doings. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy,
The Geibel & The Stefanski Families
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