Earl Gerald Gates, 87, of Waynesboro, PA passed peacefully to his heavenly home on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at WellSpan York Hospital after suffering a massive stroke.
Born June 6, 1937 to the late Walter and Pauline (Barnhart) Gates, Earl was the youngest of seven children, growing up during the depression, playing in the mountains near Tarman Spring and Fox Hill chasing down wild game and copperheads.
He graduated from the class of 1955, and received his GED from Quincy High School. Young Earl began his career as a machinist at a local company, where he learned his trade as a precision tool and die maker. He fabricated many designs and inventions, but one he was most proud of was a stainless steel prototype for one of the first dialysis blood pumps, while working at Glideline Corporation in Waynesboro. He performed many responsibilities through the years while employed at Glideline, then Amp Inc., ending his shop career as a manufacturing engineer. He worked for his brother, John Gates at the Quincy Service Station and for John Kahl Jr. Excavating Inc., before becoming Quincy Township Supervisor and Roadmaster, a job he was very proud of, until retiring in 2000.
Earl was a member of the Waynesboro Fish and Game, South Mountain Fish and Game, Eagles Club Inc., Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moose Club, and Mountain Valley Horsemen’s Association. The Eagle Rock Hunting Club in Michaux State Forest was his favorite club of all. He was a member for most of his life and held many offices. Earl’s love for hunting and fishing took him all over the United States with family and friends.
Earl “Iron Legs” played baseball with the Franklin County Adult League and he also played football for the Waynesboro Tigers. He was an expert marksman and won many awards shooting trap and spending time at the Waynesboro Fish and Game. Earl loved anything to do with aircraft, especially WWII fighter planes. He loved Civil War history and met the love of his life, Gwen, at an encampment with the 35th VA Calvary. They shared a love for horses and participated in reenactments together. Earl (The General) and Gwen were married on August 4, 1973 in Greenwich, NJ.
He attended and was baptized at the Blue Rock United Brethren Church. He loved God, his family and his country. He loved nature and lived life to the fullest, fearless to climb on a rank horse, scale the highest mountain or climb the tallest tree. He was a man ahead of his time and a mentor to many. He created and built most everything on the farm and folks could count on his vast skill set to identify a tree or mountain flower, figure out that problem and rebuild or fix what seemed hopelessly broken.
He is survived by beloved wife of 51 years Gwen B (Shimp) Gates; his daughters; Mary Beth Gates Herrera and Rebecca Allison; grandchildren; Rachel Morgan (Chris), Rivka Herrera-McLaughlin (Kevin), Benjamin Herrera, Jacob Herrera and Brenton Allison; great granddaughter, Charlie Rae Morgan; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. He also leaves behind three horses and kittens; Manny, Libby and Sammy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved son, Lucas E. Gates, two brothers; Sam Gates and John Gates, four sisters; Lorraine Bard, Miriam Provard, Helen Stoops and Francis Bricker.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 P.M., Sunday, September 22, 2024 in Blue Rock Church, 7885 Mentzer Gap Road, Waynesboro, PA with Pastor Greg Helman officiating. Burial will be private.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the celebration in the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to; Blue Rock Church, 7885 Mentzer Gap Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268; A Children’s Hospital; or any other worthwhile charity.
