In 1979, he moved to Portland, Oregon where he worked in maintenance at Blue Lake Park, downtown at the Portland Hilton, and at Southland Corporation.
At the end of 1987, while picking up his brother, Reggie from work, Big Mike met Nickie. The two hit it off and were married on August 22, 1992. They moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where they resided until 2005.
No one could argue that Big Mike was a hard worker. He was the first of 50 who set up and opened the Bellagio hotel in Vegas. He worked for 7 years as the maintenance manager at Walmart, 8 years of security for Hemp Stock Festival, he made donuts at Winchells, did security for Coast to Coast, the Portland Trailblazers, and the Rose Garden, and also worked for Red Lion Hotel.
Big Mike knew a little bit about everything. He loved all sports: fishing, golfing and football especially his beloved Chicago Bears. He also spent time coaching for PAL league. He was a BBQ Grill Master – even judging Barbecue cook-offs. He enjoyed going to concerts and making people laugh with his great sense of humor. Big Mike was also very involved. He was a part of the culinary union, teamsters union, a board member of Oregon Parents for Pot, and alongside Nickie the two created a non-profit golf tournament for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
After dealing with a few illnesses, James Michael Gates passed away on March 31, 2019 surrounded by his family.
Preceding him in death are his siblings, Patricia Withers, Caesar “Gene” Withers, Sharon “Cookie” Withers, and Reginald Gates.
Left to cherish his memory: wife of over 26 years, Nickie Gates; daughter, Rachel Williams-Gates; son, Michael Gates; siblings, Gregory Gates, Karen Gates, Sylvester Gates, Diane Gates, and Lester Gates; grandchildren, Kalani & Se’maj Williams-Gates; dog, Hendrix; and numerous other family members and friends who loved him.
The family asks that you please consider a donation in Big Mike’s name to the Tucker Maxon School.
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