Joel Gates

Joel Gates, 77, of Jasper passed away December 17, 2007 at his home. A native of Oilton, TX, he had lived in Jasper since 1969 and was a devoted member of the Church of Christ on Highway 96 South in Jasper. Joel was a electrician by trade and installed right hand drives part time for mail carriers in the Jasper area for many years. He was most happy when he was working in his garden and was quite an inventor, and made many of the tools that he used to work with.

Graveside funeral services were held on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at Trout Creek Cemetery near Kirbyville under the direction of Forest Oaks Funeral Home of Jasper.

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Bobby Jo Barton Gates.

Survivors include his children, Ben Gates of Hixson, Tennessee, Florence Stokesbary of Jasper, Texas, and Jason Gates of Camrose, Alberta Canada; his brother, George W. Gates of Jasper, Texas; his five grandchildren, Naaman Spratley of Jasper, TX, Ben Brandon Gates of Hixson, TN, Susan Gillespie of Lufkin, TX, Nikki Bertrand of Jasper, TX, Brandee Spratley of Austin, TX; his two step-grandchildren, Ashley and Ryan Shott of Camrose, Alberta Canada; and by his nine great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you kindly remember Joel by directing your Memorial Contributions toward the American Cancer Society. You may make a donation by phone at 1-800-ACS- 2345 or by mail at American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 75123-1718, or toward Lakes Area Hospice, 254 Ethel St. Jasper, TX 75951. Condolences accepted at www.timeformemory.com/ forestoaks