Obituary for Franklin Gene Gates II
Franklin Gene Gates, age 75 of Joplin, MO transitioned to his heavenly home on Sunday, February 21, 2021 after ongoing diabetic and liver complications.
Frank was born on April 23, 1945 to his parents William “Bill” Gates and Nettie Ethel Sperry Gates. Frank married his wife of nearly 56 years, Carolyn Joann Rickey Gates, on May 8, 1965. Frank and Carolyn had one child together, Frank Jr., born June 13, 1967. Frank worked for Missouri Steel Castings for twenty years and retired as a Service Supervisor from the Missouri Department of Transportation after thirteen years.
Many who had the blessing of knowing Frank would describe him as laid-back, kind, and a man of faith in the Lord. He had a flair for style, and (as Carolyn describes him) was a “very good-looking” man. He was always a reliable father and husband regardless of circumstances.
Frank loved all nature, but traveling to the Colorado mountains with Carolyn was his favorite. Over the years, you may have caught them burning up the floor at square dance halls or frequenting their favorite casinos. Frank loved conversation and his “lunch bunch” with the Eastern Shawnee Tribe.
Surviving family includes Frank’s wife Carolyn Gates of Joplin, his son Frank Gates, Jr. of Nixa, his granddaughter and her husband Whitney and John Lozette of Livonia, Michigan and his great-granddaughters Halle (age 14) and Olivia (age 2 weeks).
Frank was preceded in death by his parents William and Nettie Ethel Gates, his sister Helen Gates Klingman, his brother Jack Gates, and his sister Edith Gates Speis.
Services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. The family requests that all guests please wear a mask.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.
Frank was born on April 23, 1945 to his parents William “Bill” Gates and Nettie Ethel Sperry Gates. Frank married his wife of nearly 56 years, Carolyn Joann Rickey Gates, on May 8, 1965. Frank and Carolyn had one child together, Frank Jr., born June 13, 1967. Frank worked for Missouri Steel Castings for twenty years and retired as a Service Supervisor from the Missouri Department of Transportation after thirteen years.
Many who had the blessing of knowing Frank would describe him as laid-back, kind, and a man of faith in the Lord. He had a flair for style, and (as Carolyn describes him) was a “very good-looking” man. He was always a reliable father and husband regardless of circumstances.
Frank loved all nature, but traveling to the Colorado mountains with Carolyn was his favorite. Over the years, you may have caught them burning up the floor at square dance halls or frequenting their favorite casinos. Frank loved conversation and his “lunch bunch” with the Eastern Shawnee Tribe.
Surviving family includes Frank’s wife Carolyn Gates of Joplin, his son Frank Gates, Jr. of Nixa, his granddaughter and her husband Whitney and John Lozette of Livonia, Michigan and his great-granddaughters Halle (age 14) and Olivia (age 2 weeks).
Frank was preceded in death by his parents William and Nettie Ethel Gates, his sister Helen Gates Klingman, his brother Jack Gates, and his sister Edith Gates Speis.
Services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. The family requests that all guests please wear a mask.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.