Arthur Ralph Gates

Arthur “Sonny” Ralph Gates, 87, passed away on December 16, 2023. He was born in Pocatello, Idaho on January 14, 1936. He was the youngest of two children of Guy Gates and Esther Teeple Gates.

Art attended schools in Pocatello and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1955. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served for three years as a tank crewman and separated with the rank of Sergeant. After completion of basic training at Camp Pendleton, he was assigned to Camp McGill in Japan. Despite his honorable discharge after his three-year enlistment, he remains a Marine.

After returning home from his military service, Art attended Idaho State University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in history/education in 1971. While at ISU, he met the love of his life, Nancy McFarlane, and married her on June 25, 1966 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Twin Falls, Idaho. Their married life found them living in several towns in Idaho: Pocatello, Pierce, American Falls and back to Pocatello after retirement.

He used his education degree to teach high school history at Timberline High School in Pierce, Idaho. After one year, he found it didn’t agree with him and he returned to Pocatello and began a career as a buyer for JR Simplot from which he retired in 1996.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was always up for a cup of coffee, a game of cards and ‘shooting the breeze’ with friends. He and Nancy had many enjoyable evenings of cards and coffee with friends. In the mid-1980’s he fulfilled a long-time dream of owning a boat and spent many enjoyable days cruising and fishing on the American Falls Reservoir. He was also a traveler of the world. In addition to his time living in Japan, he and his wife had the opportunities to explore Europe a number of times as well as a visit to Guam.

Art was a kind, gentle, quiet man and a hard worker. He provided his family with whatever they needed, even if it meant working two jobs. He was known for his amazing smile that he put to good use with his dry sense of humor. He was an avid dog lover and had many throughout his life along with the occasional cat. He would never turn down his favorite candy, peanut M&Ms.

In 2019, he and Nancy moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Chubbuck and received wonderful care from the staff there. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his daughter Kathleen Gates and two grandsons, Adam and Andrew Durante. His daughter, Bridget Durante, parents and sister, Margot Talney, preceded him in passing.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Brookdale Senior Living in Chubbuck, Heritage Home Health and Hospice and the Portneuf Cancer Center for the loving care and support they provided. 

A vigil will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Rd, Chubbuck, ID.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Chapel, 455 N. Hayes, Pocatello, ID.  Burial will take place at the Mountain View Cemetery. Luncheon will follow at St. Anthony’s Chapel, 504 N 7th Avenue, Pocatello ID 83201.

The family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association to help find a cure for this scourge (donations can be made at http://act.alz.org/goto/Arthur_Gates). They also request that if you have a loved one or a friend with Alzheimer’s or know someone who resides in an assisted living/long term care facility, please visit them often.