James Gates

James Franklin Gates, age 85 went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at his home in Fairfax, Oklahoma surrounded by his loving wife and children.

He was born to Edmund Gates Sr. and Mamie Irene (Tripp) Gates on January 28, 1931, eighth of twelve children, in the Big Bend community west of Ralston. He attended school at Woodland School (in the Big Bend) and graduated high school at Burbank High School in 1948. Known to family and friends as "Jim". He enlisted in the Air Force on May 17, 1951 serving his country until October 2, 1953 in Rapid City, SD.

Jim married Lou E. Dixon on December 22, 1951 in Newkirk. They were honored to celebrate 65 years of marriage on December 22, 2016.

He worked for several years as a carpenter, building houses in Ponca City, Fairfax and Ralston areas. Jim belonged to the Home Builders Association and also served on the Fairfax School Board. Accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior in January 1954, he was baptized at the Big Bend Baptist Church. Later, in 1967, he was ordained as a deacon at the First Osage Baptist Church and is a member of the Ralston First Baptist Church. Jim went to work for Conoco in Ponca City OK and after 16 years retired in 1985.

He is survived by his wife, Lou of the home; four children, Claudia Lentz of Branson MO, Jimmy II and Jeanne Gates of Fairfax OK, Janie and Chuck Davis of Ponca City OK, Tim and Susan Gates of Ponca City OK; nine grandchildren, Kimetha and Donnie Bennett, Matt Mitchell, Julie and Brian Patton, Jill and Kevin Miller, Lance and Chelsea Alcorn, Jayson and Lori Gates, Talby and Tate McClure, Mark and Nicole Fewell, Randi Fewell and twenty-nine great grandchildren. Three sisters, Martha Johnston of Oklahoma City, Julia Newland of Garland TX, Mamie and Jack Tice of Oklahoma City. Numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Robert Gates, Fredrick Gates, Jesse Gates, Herb Gates, John Gates and Edmund Gates Jr.; two sisters, Ella Bledsoe and Mary Roberts.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2016 at First Osage Baptist Church, Fairfax with Dennis Wildman officiating. Burial will follow in the Pixley Cemetery in the Big Bend community. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home in Fairfax.

Casketbearers will be grandsons: Matt Mitchell, Donnie Bennett, Kevin Miller, Jayson Gates, Lance Alcorn, Brian Patton and Tate McClure.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or Pixley Cemetery, First Osage Baptist Church, Fairfax OK, First Baptist Church, Ralston, OK, or First Baptist Church, Burbank, OK.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hunsakerwootenfuneralhome.com

Visitation

HunsakerWooten Funeral Home Chapel
201 N. 4th Street
Fairfax, OK  74637
Friday, January 20, 2017
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

HunsakerWooten Funeral Home Chapel
201 N. 4th Street
Fairfax, OK  74637
Saturday, January 21, 2017
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Service

Funeral Service

First Osage Baptist Church
236 N Main Street
Fairfax, OK  74637
Saturday, January 21, 2017
2 p.m.

Cemetery

Pixley Cemetery
West of Fairfax, OK  74637