Craig B. Gates

GATES, Craig B. 1948 – 2016 Craig Bruce Gates, longtime Santa Rosa resident, passed away suddenly of a heart attack in Tomintoul, Scotland. Craig was 68 years old and died on June 10, 2016 while vacationing in Scotland with his beloved wife, Faune Gates. Craig, affectionately known as Craiger or “Da” to his grandchildren, was born in Hawthorn, California on May 15, 1948. Son of George F. Gates and Virginia Larsen (both deceased), Craig was the youngest of three brothers. He graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Biology in 1970 and was married that same year on December 19 in Santa Rosa to his best friend, Faune M. Cochran. Craig worked for 31 years as the General Manager at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, finishing his career as Facilities Manager at LEMO USA in Rohnert Park. Craiger had his pilots license and enjoyed flying, was a cookie-maker extraordinaire, was a wonderful artist, could fix or rebuild anything broken, loved traveling and was always the most cheerful, most generous and fun one at any gathering. All of us who were blessed enough to know Craiger or Da knew his greatest source of pride and accomplishment was his family and all the happy memories they shared together. Craig was adored by his two daughters, Kindra L. Sampson and Aimee E. Gates. Craig will live forever in the hearts of all those he is leaving behind: Faune Gates, his wife of 45 years; two daughters, Kindra L. Sampson and Aimee E. Gates; sons-in-law, Scott A. Sampson and David A. Hemenway; and grandchildren, Lauren E. Sampson, Colin A. Sampson, Chase A. Hemenway and Avery K. Hemenway. Craig is survived by brothers, Dr. George Gates and Bill Gates, and sisters-in-law, Jill Gates and Dale Gates; brothers-in-law, Rick Iversen and Bruce Cochran, and sisters-in-law, Vicki Iversen and Marcia Cochran; as well as many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service on June 26th at 1:00 p.m. at Willowside School, at 5285 Hall Road in Santa Rosa, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Craig’s name to the Oak Grove Education Partners (OGEP) at 5285 Hall Road in Santa Rosa, CA 95401.