Harold Gates

Harold Gates of Caro, formerly of Saginaw, age 92, passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the Tuscola County Medical Care Community in Caro. Harold was born July 27, 1925 in Caro, the son of the late Edna (Stratton) and Richmond Gates, and was raised by his beloved grandparents, Lewis and Harriet Stratton. He was a 1943 graduate of Caro High School where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. Harold was coached by Don Stamats and Carl Bowman and played on the '41 and '42 CHS undefeated football champs of the Upper Thumb League. Harold enlisted in the Navy upon high school graduation, joining the Naval Construction Battalion (CB) known as the Seabees, and served on the aircraft carrier The USS Midway in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He fought as a munitions handler in The Battle of Buckner Bay, capturing Okinawa, Japan in August of 1945. Harold was united in marriage with the former Patricia Block in Caro in 1951 and they moved to Saginaw Township in 1958. He was blessed with a phenomenal memory for details, boundless energy, and a quick wit. A lifelong sports fan, Harold attended ten Rose Bowl games as an avid Michigan Wolverine. A favorite quote was "For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes - not that you won or lost - But HOW you played the Game" by Grantland Rice. An accomplished bowler, Harold rolled a 300 game in 1975, a career high 754 series, perennially carried a high average including 195 in '65 and '66, and his team won back to back Michigan Moose State Tournaments in 2009 and 2010. Harold played competitive fast pitch softball until the age of 50 and won multiple medals in the Michigan Senior Olympics. He also enjoyed water skiing, boating, hunting and fishing. An electrical contractor, Harold was an owner of DS (Delta Star) Power Services, retiring at the age of 85 after sixty-two years working with high voltage power. Harold was a life member of the Caro Moose Lodge #1049, the VFW, and the American Legion. A proud veteran from "The Greatest Generation," he was a lifelong Democrat. His greatest joy was being a grandfather. Harold is survived by his loving wife of sixty-seven years, Patricia Gates; six children, Laurie & Ron Gardner, Garry Gates, Suzanne Gates, Teresa & Chad McPherson, Joe Gates, Sharyl Gates & Frank Ortiz; ten grandchildren, Benjamin & Sneha Gardner, Daniel & Anna Gardner, Stephen & Heather Gardner, Rachel & Sean Loftus, Hannah Gardner, Zane, Clayton and Chloe Gates, Emmaline and Julia Gates; seven great-grandchildren, Caleigh, Peighton, Layne, Phoebe, Adiana and Isabelle Gardner, Cooper Loftus; and many long-term close friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro. Burial will follow in the Stratton family plot at Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro alongside his mother, uncle and grandparents. The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Tuscola County Medical Care Community in Caro. The family would like to thank the staff of the medical care facility for their care and compassion while Harold was a resident there. Visitation Information Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 Time: 12:00 pm End Time: 1:30 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Service Information Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018 Time: 1:30 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro. Cemetery Information Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 Indianfields Township Cemetery Address: 989-673-2428 | Map Burial will follow in the Stratton family plot at Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro alongside his mother, uncle and grandparents.