Harlan B. Gates

Harlan B. Gates, 91, Washington resident since 1948 and longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2006 at SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 31, 2006 at Kayser's Chapel of Memories with family friend Bob Garrett officiating. Following, refreshments will be provided at Michael's on the Lake so we can share memories. Viewing will be held at Kayser's Chapel on Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. until service time. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.

Harlan was born in Poteet, Texas on February 25, 1915 to Ben and Zeke Gates during the depression. The family moved to San Antonio, where he completed his eighth-grade education. His first job was working for a woodcutter. Happy to have employment he made 15 cents per cord of wood; cut and stacked. From there he moved to the Rio Grand Valley and worked making ice for CPL Ice Plant.

Harlan married Marie Branch-Hill in 1941 and eagerly became a stepfather to Norman L. Hill and Kenneth W. Hill. In 1948 Harlan and Marie moved to Richland where the two sons were already living. Harlan became a Union Carpenter working at Grand Coulee Dam, Chief Joseph, Lower granite and many others. He traveled a bit but made his home in Moses Lake. He retired from the Union when he was 65, after working at Hanford.

After Marie died of a prolonged illness, Harlan married Loretta Payne Mitchell in 1987.

Harlan was an avid bird hunter using his Britney dogs. He loved to dance, play cards, fish and garage sale. In later years he found enjoyment in buying broken items and repairing them. He always said, "if you don't have something to do, what's the point?"

Harlan was a proud, hard-working man who truly loved his children and grandchildren. Those that knew him understood his love for life. He hopes his friends at the bank, senior center, church, Hearthstone and community know how special they were to him.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, two brothers, Jack and Richard Lewis Gates and two wives, Marie and Loretta.

He is survived by his sons, Norman L. Hill, Grandview and Kenneth W. Hill, Warden; stepson, George Mitchell, Soap Lake; grandchildren, Norman "JR" Hill, Eugene Hill, Linda Hill-Plattner, Becky Hill, Karen Hill-Gill, Patty Hill-Voth, June Hill-Rigby, Jim Hill and many many great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry Gates; sisters, Fern Beth Maples, Cheryl Gates, Doris Gates, Joan Knorr, and Peggy Gates. We all loved him dearly and will miss him.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Harlan's memory.