More detail on this person: Major Herbert Grant
Gates, USAF (Ret), 82, born in Kansas City, MO
and raised in Nevada, MO passed peacefully at
4pm, on Sunday, the 24th of November 2013, in
Springfield, MO, with all his children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered, in
love and honor, at his side.
Herbert's US Air Force career began at Misawa
AFB in Honshu, Japan. There, as a young
helicopter pilot of the 38th Air Rescue Squadron.,
a 24 year old 1st Lieutenant saved the lives of 14
Japanese sailors, the entire crew of a sinking
vessel during a typhoon and tsunami. Lowering his
copilot to the ship to help the sailors onto the
hoist, Herbert made 15 turns from the ship to
shore until every man was safe. He was honored
with four medals from the government of Japan.
This initial act of daring and courage marked the
beginning of a lifetime dedicated to rescue,
safety, and protection, nurtured in military
service and practiced his entire life as the
champion and hero of his family and friends.
During his flight training, Herbert and his class
were asked for volunteers to train in a new type
of aircraft. Every single man raised his hand. The
aircraft was the helicopter. He was decorated
numerous times throughout his service. His
Vietnam decorations included the Bronze Star, the
Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with
multiple oak leaf clusters. What he preferred to
talk about was the pleasure it gave him to
organize charity from home for the Tuey Hua
locals. As a member of the 1st Helicopter Squadron
at Joint Base Andrews, in our nation's capital, it
was his extreme honor to provide airlift for the
Executive Department, high-ranking dignitaries,
and distinguished visitors. His final assignment,
as Commander of the 353rd at Whiteman AFB, was
patrolling above our Nation's weapons in the heart
of America.
Herb delighted in and cared for his one true love,
Jacqueline Joan Oliphant, until she passed in May
of 2008. He was her everything 'til the very end
and he missed her every day since, until he now
joins her.
He was also preceded in death by his father
Herbert Graham Gates, his mother Neta Lucille Neff
(Gates, Cornelius), and his step father "Doc"
Cornelius, the latter two of whom he and his wife
Jackie personally cared for until their deaths.
Also predeceased were his niece Kelly Herbert and
his cousin Neta Suzanne Neff.
He is survived by his three children, Cynthia May
(husband Robert Mancuso), Douglas William, and
Sally Ellen (husband Clay Frisbie); his five
grandchildren Joann Elise Sutton, Janie Lynn
(husband Jacob Schlueter), Cally Rae (husband
Thomas Lampe), Cassi Ellen Rose (husband Tyler
Moore) and Grant Clayton; his six
great-grandchildren Andrew Michael, Michael David,
Seaana Jacqueline, Madalyn May, Sophia Ellen
and Roman Thomas. Also surviving are sister-in-law
Roberta Lee Oliphant (Herbert, Schnell), his niece
Debbie and nephews Billy and Brad.
Herbert said all he wanted to do since he was a
child was fly, and he would have done it for
nothing if the Air Force had wanted him to. He
loved golfing, building and flying model
airplanes, puzzles, wood working, Jeopardy!,
traveling, and sight-seeing. He shared all these
with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Herbert Grant Gates: A Veteran of the United
States Air Force and a Veteran of a Life Well
Lived. Mission Accomplished, Sir!
A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 pm
on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at the Missouri
Veterans Cemetery.
Herbert was profoundly affected by the fact that
not everyone had as fortunate a life as he was
blessed with. He donated regularly to several
charitable organizations. He and his family would
be deeply honored if, instead of flowers, you
would make a donation to your own trusted
charity.
Published in the News-Leader on Dec. 1, 2013
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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