John Gates

John W. Gates, 75, of Mansfield, died August 10, 2015. Born February 20, 1940 in Mansfield, he was the son of Reid and Florence (Ruhl) Gates. John graduated from Madison High School in 1958 and served in the Ohio Air National Guard. He was employed 42 years at PPG, working as a technician. After retirement, he returned to work as a consultant. During his time at PPG, he also graduated from North Central Technical College with an Associate's Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology in 1986. A kind, intelligent man, John loved to travel, Florida and Las Vegas being his most frequent destinations, but Ontario was always his home.

John greatly enjoyed sports, whether it be playing, coaching, or watching. He was a certified baseball umpire with the Ohio High School Athletic Association and was an umpire at Ontario youth baseball games as well as being a little league coach for the Ontario Baseball Federation. He attended Crossroads Community Church. John enjoyed classic cars and was especially proud of his 1957 T-Bird.

Surviving are his sons, Brian (Michelle) Gates and Darren (Missi) Gates; significant other, Marlee Holmes; grandchildren, Brandon and Tyler Gates and Mitchell, Cameron, and Connor Gates; and brothers, Paul (Betty) Gates and Frank Gates.

Along with his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Patricia (Miller) Gates, who died in February 1998 and his sister, Ruth Frazee.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, August 13, 2015 from 3-7 p.m. at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington Springmill Road, Ontario. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, conducted by Pastor Ron Biddle. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Ontario Schools Technology Fund, 457 Shelby Ontario Road, Ontario, Ohio 44906.