Calvin Hugh (RUSTY) Gates, Jr., 54, of Grayling passed on Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at his home surrounded by family on the banks of his beloved AuSable.
Rusty was born in Bay City, Michigan on September 24, 1955, the son of the late Calvin Gates, Sr. and Maricele (Zimmerman ) Gates.
Rusty graduated from Grayling High School in 1973.
He married the former Julie McCredie on Dec. 3, 1988
Rusty was self employed as the owner of Gates AuSable Lodge for the past 21 years.
The Gates AuSable Lodge has been in the Gates family for 40 years.
He was the President and Founder of Anglers of the AuSable.
Member of Headwaters Land Conservancy , Federation of Fly Fisherman, and Lovells Historical Society.
Rusty has received many environmental awards.
He also enjoyed music. He received the John Phillips Sousa award in high school for his talent of playing the trombone and was also a member of the Riverland Dixie Band.
Survived by:
Mother: Maricele Gates of Florida.
Wife: Julie Gates of 21 years
Daughter: Misty Wilson of Grayling, MI.
Sons: Paul Gates of East Lansing, MI.,
Christopher (Stacie) Burden of Woodridge, IL.
Grandchildren: Breonna, Victoria, Sienna, Kyle, & Darren.
Sisters: Gena Gates of Bay City.,
Jody (Craig) Hinkle of Grayling, MI.,
Janelle Gates of Gaylord, MI.
Brothers: Jim (Connie) Gates of Grayling, MI.,
Tom Gates of Florida.
Mother in law: Gale Minard of Lovells
Preceded in death by his father Calvin Gates, Sr. and his father in law, Kenneth Minard.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday Dec. 22, 2009 between 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home in Grayling, MI. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday Dec. 23, 2009 between 11-1 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grayling, MI . Funeral Service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Wednesday Dec. 23, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Steven Thiel officiating.
Condolences may be sent to www.sorensonlockwood.com, www.ausableanglers.org,
Memorial contributions may be made to the following in Rusty's memory:
Heartland Hospice 417 W. Houghton Ave Ste. E West Branch, MI 48661 or
Anglers of the AuSable 403 Black Bear Dr. Grayling, MI 49738.
Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home Grayling, MI.