Harold Lewis Gates

HAROLD LEWIS GATES, 85, passed away in the early morning hours on Monday, November 14th, 2011, at his home in Johns Creek, Georgia. Mr. Gates was a veteran of the United States Navy, having joined at the age of 16 during the height of World War II. He served 20 years on active duty.

Born Harold Francis Doll in Brooklyn, New York, he was the second child of parents William and Ruth (Burns) Doll, both of whom died during his naval deployment. Hal, as he was known to his friends, became close to the family of a fellow sailor, Don Gates. Elmo Lewis Gates and Ethel Mae Gates formerly adopted Hal at 31 years of age. Hal was very devoted to his second family, as they were to him. Hal is survived by his sisters Marian (Gates) Davis and Erma Lee (Gates) Hibbler, and their surviving children.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Hal was a successful business man who, with his partner Val Walter, operated and import store in Northern California and a ranch in Oregon, among other business ventures. Hal was a long time resident of Lafayette, California, retiring to John Creek, Georgia, in 2003.

Mr. Gates fraternal affiliations included Ahmes Shrine, Livermore, California, Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction, Valley of Oakland, Oakland, California, Acalanes Fellowship Lodge # 480 F&AM, Lafayette, California, and Ridgewood Lodge # 710, College Point, New York. Mr. Gates was inducted into the DeMolay Legion of Honor in 2000 and was the 2002 recipient of the Hiram Award, the highest honor a California Masonic Lodge can bestow on one of it members.
An enichement ceremony with military honors is scheduled for March 2, 2012 at Georgia National Cemetery.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 155 Professional Park Drive, Cumming, Georgia. (678) 455-5815.