George "Bobbie" Gates
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jun 10, 2021 | 9:04 AM / 1387 views
Wichapi Chokab Mani ~Walks Amongst the Stars
Funeral Service for George “Bobby” Gates of Fort Yates, ND will be at 11 AM, CT on Tuesday, June 14, 2021 at the Gates Residence. Burial will be beside his love Diane under direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge, SD. Procession from Oster’s to the Yellow District Building in Fort Yates will be at 3:30 PM, CT on Monday, June 14, 2021, services begin at 7 PM, CT. George “Bobby” Gates entered the Spirit World in Bismarck, ND. Oster Funeral Home is entrusted with services for Bobby Gates. www.osterfuneralhome.com
George Robert “Bobby” Gates was born on August 12, 1945 in Fort Yates, ND to Charles Albert Gates Sr and Margaret Marie Cottonwood (Loans Arrow). Bobby lived in Fort Yates from birth until he was 11 months old when he moved with Eugene & Naomi LoveJoy in Fort Totten, ND where he grew up and attended school. He was taken in by the Pauline Yankton & Greg Water family, Pauline later became his adopted mother. In 1960, at the age of 15 years old, Bobby returned to Fort Yates after his grandfather’s death and lived with his grandmother. He later moved out and lived on his own. Bobby found work for the Catholic Church cleaning the barns, picking chicken eggs and other odds and ends; all while attending school at Fort Yates High School.
Bobby worked on various ranches & was employed by various jobs during his lifetime. In 1966, Bobby worked for NASA as a custodian and worked on Apollo 4. He was always very proud of his accomplishments! Bobby moved back to North Dakota and worked as the Headstart bus driver and custodian. He also was a police officer for a few years; he was a man of many professions. One fact about Bobby is he was also known to be the Bigfoot Hunter, in the late 70s and early 80s. He was very passionate about his role as a bus driver for the SR Community School where he drove children for many years. He even had his own burger “The Bus Driver” at the Missouri Drift- Inn.
October 1961, Bobby met the love of his life Diane Loon by asking to walk her home and they had been together ever since. On Sept 4, 1964, Bobby married his love Diane at the Sioux County Court House. Through this union they had 4 children Kipp Gates, Shelli Gates, Edward Gates, & Dace Gates. Bobby was also an adoptive dad to Mervin Little Dog, he raised him as his own son as well as his nephew Courtney Loon. Bobby and Diane were foster parents to many children. We apologize if we’ve left anyone out. It was not our intention.
Bobby was an avid outdoorsman. He was always eager to catch that big buck and had many tales, stories and jokes to tell. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, riding horses, powwows, school activities, and working on cars. Bobby also enjoyed driving the bus for Standing Rock firefighter crew, during the summer months. He enjoyed many activities and always kept himself busy. He will be missed in many spaces.
During his retirement Bobby enjoyed being an active member of the community, going out and visiting, watching traffic in the Sioux County parking lot.
Bobby is survived by his loving family, his children Kipp Gates, Shelli (Francis Belgarde) Gates, Edward “Eddy” Gates, Dace Gates, foster son Mervin Little Dog, his hunka daughters Georgette Gennafer & Heather Iron Road, brothers Charles “Red” Gates Sr. (Reva), sister Jeannie Gates) deceased, adopted brothers Roger Yankton, Alfred Longie, Quentin Yankton Sr., James Yankton Jr., Bill Ennis, Archie Foolbear, John Eagleshield Sr., adopted sisters Clarice Lawrence, Valerie Bull, Jackie Yankton, aunt Victoria & Guy Ireland, grandchildren Kiana Gates, Kara Gates, Chad Blevins, Lane Gates, Cade Gates, Tyrin Gates, Shavon & Maddie Gates, Houston, Cloe, & Kalijah Gates, great grandchildren LaRaya & LeRon Hoisington, George Bobby Gates, Abigail Huber, Ethias & Emeriah Blevins, nephews Scott Gates Sr., Steve Gates, Shawn Gates Sr., Courtney Loon, Aaron Gates, nieces Margaret Gates, Sonia Brownotter.
Casketbearers: Scott Gates Sr., Shawn Gates Sr, Steve Gates, Chris Gates, Waldo Zahn, Archie Fool Bear, Courtney Loon, John Eagle Shield Sr.
Lane Gates, Chad Belvins, Tyrin Gates, Francis Belgarde, Roger Yankton, Tony McDonald, George Bobby Gates, LeRon Hoisington.
Proceeded in death by his beloved wife Diane, his parents and grandparents, and his sister Jeannie Marie Gates.