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Obituary for Ralph E. Gates
Ralph E. Gates Oct. 9, 1945 - April 4, 2010 Ralph E. Gates passed away at his home in Nesika Beach on April 4, 2010 with his family at his side. He was 64. Ralph was born October 9, 1945 in Springer, NM to Leon and Clara Gates. He grew up in Grants, attending boarding school in Las Cruces and then graduating from Grants High School. Following graduation, Ralph entered the US Air Force where he served honorably during the Vietnam War. He then began what would be a lifelong career as a laboratory technician. He worked and lived in various locations including Dayton, OH, Dodge City, KS, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arizona. While working in Prescott, AZ, Ralph met Jerri Muskrat. The two fell in love and have been together ever since. They moved to Oregon in 1998 where Ralph continued his work as the night lab technician for Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach. He and Jerri were officially united in marriage in a spring ceremony at Azalea Park in Brookings, OR on May 21, 2007. Ralph enjoyed spending time on the beach and panning for gold. He and Jerri also enjoyed traveling. Survivors include his wife, Jerri of Nesika Beach, daughter, Kathleen of Huber Heights, OH, stepson, Dustin Muskrat and his wife, Michelle of Cordes Junction, AZ, grandchildren, Zach, Gabe, Chandler, Austin and Tanner, sister, Florence Lucero and her husband, Levy of Almagadoro, NM, sister-in-law, Jocelyn Gates of Brookings. Ralph was preceded in death by his brother, James in December of 2009. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations for the laboratory education fund at the Curry Health Foundation, PO Box 1274, Gold Beach, OR 97444. At his request, no ceremony will be held.
