John W. Gates, 93 died Tuesday October 19, 2021, at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

He was born May 5, 1928, in Randolph, VT a son of James E and Maude (Lannen) Gates. John attended schools in Royalton and Hartford before serving in the US Army in the Korean War.  He was married to Marilyn Courtemanche September 18, 1954, in White River Jct. where they have made their home since.  John began his career as a car salesman selling Volkswagens at Woodstock garage and after they closed, he continued to sell cars at various dealerships for many years.  In his 60's he began working as finish carpenter for several years.

John was a member of the American Legion in White River Jct. and the Hartford Elks and was also an auxiliary police officer for the Vermont State Police. In his retirement, he drove the Mobile Medical Unit for the VA Medical Center in White River Jct. including bringing the bus to Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

He enjoyed time in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and gardening and was also a talented woodworker.  Most of all he enjoyed time with his family.

He was predeceased by a brother, Beecher who was killed in World War II; sisters Elsie Sides, Edna Steward and Beatrice Griswold.

John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marilyn, of White River Junction, children, Philip Gates (Carol) of Derby, VT, Timothy Gates (Joan) of White River Junction and Karen Gates Farnsworth of Northfield, VT; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a twin sister Jean Brockway of White River Jct. and brother Thomas Gates of New Jersey.

A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday October 30 ^th at 1:30 PM in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in White River Jct.

Condolences to John's family may be made in an online guestbook at knightfuneralhomes.com