Frederick E. Gates

1935 - 2021

Frederick E. Gates

Frederick (Fred) Elsworth Gates was born June 6, 1935 to William C. Gates and Mae S. Gates in Tulsa, OK. Fred grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore, OK. He enjoyed spending time with his family at their vacation home in Cedar Crest Community. He spent many enjoyable summers at Kamp Kanakuk in Branson, MO. Fred was an avid swimmer and loved jogging and working out. He attended Oklahoma University and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

In 1966, Fred graduated with a Masters of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. He also earned a Master's in Christian Education from Tulsa University. Ordained as a Presbyterian minister, he served churches in Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Tennessee. After retiring in 1996, he worked part-time jobs at grocery stores and Starbucks where he enjoyed his favorite pastime…getting to know lots of people and sharing his unique wit.

In 1956 Fred married Marilyn Hendrex. He was a loving father to their two children, Karen and Frederick (Eric). Later they divorced and Fred married Sharlyn (DeHaven) Drews. He was a wonderful stepfather to David, Darrick and Annie.

After a brief illness, Fred passed peacefully into his heavenly home on March 26, 2021 in Lansing, MI. He will always be remembered for his genuine interest in all people, his quirky humor, the twinkle in his eyes, his love for all types of music, books, and his faith and dedication to God and the Church.

Fred is survived by his wife, Sharlyn DeHaven Gates; daughter, Karen Woodard (Richard); son, Eric Gates (Anne); step-son, David Drews (Tisha); step-son, Darrick Drews (Shawna); step-daughter, Annie Batten (Eric); sister, Harriet Mason; sister, Areta Heard (Charles); sister-in-law, Judy Gates; grandchildren, Sam Woodard (Rosa), William Woodard, Michael Woodard, Marti Smith (Joshua), Emily Rivera (Johnny), Tyler Gates, Dylan Drews, Natalie Drews, Aiden Drews, Andrew Batten and Izabel Batten; great-grandchildren, Elijah Smith, Heidi Smith, Gideon Smith and Evie Smith; and nieces, Kathy Hijazi, Janece Gates Hiegel, and Julia Bonar.

Fred was preceded in death by his father, William C. Gates; his mother, Mae S. Gates; brother, William (Billy) Gates; brother, James Gates; and brother-in-law, Charles (Rex) Mason.

A memorial service will be held on April 17, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Coffeyville, KS, at 1:30 p.m. for family and friends. A later memorial service will be held in Holly, Michigan at Holly Presbyterian Church. Details on that service will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Holly Presbyterian Church, Williamston United Methodist Church or the Williamston Area Senior Center.