Ralph Edgar Gates
June 15, 1929 — June 16, 2007
Mr. Ralph Edgar Gates, 78, of Mt. Airy died Saturday, June 16, 2007 at the Carroll Hospice Dove House. He was the husband of the late Fay Brooke Gates who died in September of 1997.
Born in Sandy Springs, MD on June 15, 1929, he was the son of the late Ellen Gates Whalen. Ralph was the owner and operator for over 30 years of Ralph Gates Towing Service in Montgomery County, retiring in 1989. He was the first president of the Montgomery County Independent Towing Association.
Earlier in Ralph's life he served in the U.S. Army 24th Infantry during WWII in the Pacific Theater. He went to work for PEPCO and Rockville Fuel and Feed before venturing full time into the towing business.
A charter member of the ELKS, he was a volunteer and honorary member of the fire department at Company #3 in Rockville. He enjoyed NASCAR, especially the Earnhardt race team, blue grass music and camping.
Survivors include his two daughters, Sharon Jarels and husband Tom of Middletown and Deborah Carr and husband Jamie of Falling Waters, WV.; five grandchildren, Christopher Ayers and wife Christina of Germantown, Matthew Ayers of Middletown, Brandy Gates of Spring Mills, WV., Melissa Macalush and TJ Lewis both of Falling Waters; one great-granddaughter, Lilly DeJesus; he will also be remembered by his special friend, Mildred Johnson of Taneytown.
Ralph was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Brooke Gates.
Visitation: The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 20 from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd., Mt. Airy, MD.
Services: Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd., Mt. Airy, Md. with Rev. Terry Culler officiating. Burial will follow in Patuxent Cemetery at Mt. Carmel in the community of Sunshine.
Memorials may be made to Carroll Hospice Dove House, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD 21157.