Thomas Stanley Gates, age 95, passed away on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2018. Tom was born in Detroit, on January 1, 1923, to Reginald and Ellida (nee Eddy) Gates. He was the youngest of five children. He attended Detroit schools, and when the nation called, he joined the United States Army. Tom attained the rank of sergeant and was a radio operator during the war. He served with the esteemed First Infantry Division, the " Big Red One " in North Africa, Italy, France and in Germany.
After his discharge, he went to work for American Standard, later American Davidson, as an inspector. Tom was proud to be a part of some of the large projects his company did, including work at the Hoover Dam and here in Michigan at Northland Mall. Tom and his wife, the late Flora Hasle, raised a family of five daughters. Those daughters, Susan Gates, Judy Gates, Gail (Art) Herman, Donna Martin and Beverly (Ron) Misiolek, survive along with eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 24, 2018, and will be officiated by Pastor Drex Morton. At the conclusion of the Memorial Service, friends may continue to gather until 4:30 pm. Later, he, along with his wife's cremated remains, will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.