Roll Call Tribute
Walter "Walt" Gates Jr. '44 December 19, 2016 9:46 AM updated: December 19, 2016 9:48 AM
Published in (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram on Dec. 18, 2016
Walter John Gates Jr.(1923 - 2016)
Walter John Gates Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home. Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park. Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials: First United Methodist Church Foundation, 800 W. 5th St., Fort Worth, Texas, 76102. Walter John Gates Jr. was born Oct. 3, 1923, in Galveston to Walter J. Gates Sr. and Dometri Alexander Gates. He graduated from Ball High School in 1940 and Texas A&M University class of 1944 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. During World War II, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers for three and a half years, Walter was with the 312th Engineering Combat Battalion of the 87th Infantry Division, the 293rd Battalion. While with the 293rd Battalion in Europe, his company was attached directly to General Patton's 3rd Army Headquarters. At the secession of hostilities in the ETO, his company was sent to Norway to disarm the German Occupational Forces. He earned four Battle Stars in the ETO. Walter went to work for Convair in Fort Worth in 1948. He later worked as a district sales manager for Aeroquip Crop., Marman Div. He worked a total of 17 years at General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin, retiring in 1991. Walter attended First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Walter was a proud member of the Tarrant County A&M Club, the 12th Man Foundation and the A&M Association of Former Students. He was a registered Texas Professional Engineer. Walter and his wife, Carla, loved traveling, especially cruising. They had visited four continents. He enjoyed being a private pilot and membership in the Experimental Aircraft Association. Walter was predeceased by his parents; his son, Rusty; and grandson, Jeremy. Survivors: His loving wife, Carla; children, Sharon Richards (Billy), Mandy Swartz (Dr. Ted), Conly Brewer (Dawn); daughter-in-law, Marlene; grandchildren, Angela DeLosSantos (Lance), Dustin, Jack, Wyatt, Madeline, Savanah; and great-grandchildren, Alexya and Cade.
Funeral Home
Thompson's Harveson & Cole
702 Eighth Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76106
817-336-0345
Walter John Gates Jr.(1923 - 2016)
Walter John Gates Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home. Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park. Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials: First United Methodist Church Foundation, 800 W. 5th St., Fort Worth, Texas, 76102. Walter John Gates Jr. was born Oct. 3, 1923, in Galveston to Walter J. Gates Sr. and Dometri Alexander Gates. He graduated from Ball High School in 1940 and Texas A&M University class of 1944 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. During World War II, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers for three and a half years, Walter was with the 312th Engineering Combat Battalion of the 87th Infantry Division, the 293rd Battalion. While with the 293rd Battalion in Europe, his company was attached directly to General Patton's 3rd Army Headquarters. At the secession of hostilities in the ETO, his company was sent to Norway to disarm the German Occupational Forces. He earned four Battle Stars in the ETO. Walter went to work for Convair in Fort Worth in 1948. He later worked as a district sales manager for Aeroquip Crop., Marman Div. He worked a total of 17 years at General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin, retiring in 1991. Walter attended First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Walter was a proud member of the Tarrant County A&M Club, the 12th Man Foundation and the A&M Association of Former Students. He was a registered Texas Professional Engineer. Walter and his wife, Carla, loved traveling, especially cruising. They had visited four continents. He enjoyed being a private pilot and membership in the Experimental Aircraft Association. Walter was predeceased by his parents; his son, Rusty; and grandson, Jeremy. Survivors: His loving wife, Carla; children, Sharon Richards (Billy), Mandy Swartz (Dr. Ted), Conly Brewer (Dawn); daughter-in-law, Marlene; grandchildren, Angela DeLosSantos (Lance), Dustin, Jack, Wyatt, Madeline, Savanah; and great-grandchildren, Alexya and Cade.
Funeral Home
Thompson's Harveson & Cole
702 Eighth Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76106
817-336-0345
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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