John Tabor Gates, 44, of Houtzdale died Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Mountain Laurel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Clearfield. The Birger A Freeberg Funeral Home Inc., Houtzdale, is in charge of the arrangements.
The funeral and burial service will be private with the Rev. Jonathan Schnibben officiating.
Born May 25, 1968 in Hartford CT, he was the son of Alice Marie and Fredrick T. Gates Jr.
He was a member of Faith United Lutheran Church, the Houtzdale L.O.O.M, past member of the Houtzdale Fire Co No. 1 and the Houtzdale American Legion Freeberg Social Club.
He coached Little League, played in the Men’s Softball League, owned Gator’s Lawn Care Service and was a bartender for many years in the Houtzdale and Osceola Mills area.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
His greatest pleasures came from the lifelong friendships he enjoyed.
He’s survived by his mother and sister, Nancy, both of Houtzdale, his aunt, Elizabeth Gates Whaley of Newmarket, NH and cousins, Michael Whaley of Farmington, NH, Christopher Whaley of Northwood NH and Matthew and his wife, Beth Whaley of South Portland, MA.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1972 and his grandparents, Olga Anderson Hyder, of Houtzdale and Fredrick and Helen Gates Sr. of Summit, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Houtzdale Fire Co. No. 1, 601 Good St., Houtzdale, PA 16651.