Douglas (Doug) Taylor Gates
Douglas (Doug) Taylor Gates, 61, passed away on January 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. He was born on June 23, 1956 in Houston, Texas to Thomas Garland Gates and Florence Taylor Roberts. Doug is survived by his wife, Gwen, daughter, Carolyn, son, Connor, brother, Tom and his wife; Patti, and many family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Matt. He was descended from two of the ‘Old Three Hundred’ (William Gates and Joel Leakey), who were members of the 300 families who came to Texas with Stephen F Austin and received land grants to settle in Washington, County, Texas.
Doug earned BS Degrees in Building Construction (1978) and Civil Engineering (1980) from Texas A&M University and an MBA (1989) from The University of Houston-Clear Lake. He primarily worked as an engineer with several different companies throughout his career but also worked in other fields utilizing both his engineering and business knowledge. Doug had many passions but his primary passion was his faith in Christ which was exhibited by his love for his family and friends and in the manner in which he lived his life.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E. Medical Center Blvd., Webster, TX 77598. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, February 9, 2018 at 2 pm at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062. Interment will follow at Mt Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Dickinson, TX. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Doug’s memory may do so to Clear Lake United Methodist Church’s Building Fund or UMArmy Fund; The Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University, 505 George Bush Dr, College Station, TX, 77840; Bay Area A&M Club, 5406 Genoa Red Bluff Rd, Pasadena, TX, 77505; or your favorite charity.
Prayers and sincere condolences to the Gates family in this difficult times. Doug was a good man. We really appreciate his contributions to scouting and Troop 848 in particular.
I am at a loss for words. Since our Mom died in early 2004, Doug and I tried our best to steer our younger brother Matt in the right direction, some good but mostly not. Matt succumbed to his vices Jan 29, 2017 and Doug had 364 days of relative peace. Now Mom, Doug and Matt are in Heaven, though I am not sure all are happy with the situation 😊.
Doug was a great guy!
So sorry to hear that Doug passed away! He was a great neighbor and I will miss seeing him working in the yard or walking Mia. Our deepest condolences to the Gates family.
Gwen, Carolyn, and Connor and all of the Gates family – Mark and I are deeply saddened to hear about Doug. He loved his family, loved God, and had a beautiful heart and spirit. Saying that he will be missed is not enough.
In deepest sympathy,
Juliet & Mark Markovich
Gwen and family, I am very sorry for your loss and wanted you to know I am thinking of you. May God richly bless you during this time of loss.
Beth Thurman
I’m saddened to hear of Doug’s passing. He was a fantastic man and a great friend. I appreciated his willingness as we served together on multiple UM Army mission trips together. I also cherished his unique candor when it came to discussions of faith and theology. I am going to miss my friend until I see him again!
So sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. My condolences to the family.
Though Doug and I lost contact after college, I still counted him among the best friends I had during my life. My sincere condolences to his family.
Doug was such a great guy and we thoroughly enjoyed talking about Christ and our faith in Him as the one who by His sovereign grace set us free. He attended the bible study i led when we worked at the TCO. He will be greatly missed and I am so thankful that Christ was His Savior and that Doug is rejoicing in His presence and worshiping our King forever.
Sorry to hear of the loss of Doug. The Gates family and Powell family from Faith Church were friends growing up. Will be missed.
Gwen, Carolyn, and Connor,
We are just so shocked to hear of Doug’s passing! Our hearts are aching for all of you! Please accept our deepest condolences. Doug was a good man and a faithful Christian who wanted to serve those in need. He will be sorely missed by so many.
I learned more about Jesus from Doug than from any other person. I’m not sure we agreed on everything, but that wasn’t the point. I am undoubtedly stronger in my faith thanks to Doug’s perspective and persistence. I was lucky to have known him. Our deepest sympathy to Gwen, Carolyn, Conner and the rest of the Gates family. Doug would think it funny that his passing was the driver for me to make my first ever contribution to TAMU.
Gwen, Carolyn, and Connor: my heart and prayers go out to you. I have such wonderful memories of Doug at our scout events, church, and UMARMY.
Gwen, Carolyn, and Connor: my heart and prayers go out to you. I have such great memories of Doug at scout events, church, and UMARMY.
So sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Doug Gates. I have many memories of all the Gates family at CLUMC.
Gwen and family, we were shocked to hear of Doug’s passing. He and Dane talked frequently out in the cul-de-sac and we’d see him walking the dog, or her walking him! He was a kind man and we are so sorry for your loss. You have our deepest sympathy.
Our hearts go out to his family! Doug was a true blessing in our lives. He will be sorely missed.
Rick, Kim and Erin Taylor
My sympathies and prayers to the family. I met Doug at UM Army. He was a very nice guy.
Gwen, Carolyn and Connor: our prayers are covering you during this difficult time. Doug had a servant heart and was curious Christian. When he was leading our Sunday School class, I couldn’t wait to see what the next Sunday would bring! He volunteered faithfully in many ministries at CLUMC for many years including Scouts. I wish I knew him while we were together at A&M but am glad for 23 years of friendship.
Echoing Juliet ” Saying that he will be missed is not enough.”
with deepest sympathy and respect,
June and Bob Keller
Mitch and Kathleen
Gwen, Carolyn, and Conner–my thoughts and prayers go out to y’all during this difficult time. Marc Humphreys and I have so many wonderful memories of Doug at Cub Scouts. He will be missed.
Gwen, Carolyn and Conner: our deepest sympathy to you Doug was a pillar of CLUMC and will be greatly missed. Love and prayers, Jim & Clare Dean
I knew Doug through Scouts (Troop 848). He was a thoughtful individual, always smiling, and whose heart and goodness led him to help others. Blessings to his family.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you Gwen, Carolyn, and Connor. So sorry for your loss. May God be with your family.
Nancy and John Bush
Gwen and family – I am praying for you and for the peace that passes understanding. We are all so sad to hear of Doug’s passing – he will certainly be missed.
Darlene and I are so sorry to learn of Doug’s loss. We had many conversations about the troop and Scouts through the years. Our condolences to your family.
I went to Texas A&M University with Douglas Gates and
studied together for many of our courses. Absolutely, one
of the nicest person I ever met.
He is blessed and God will receive him well.
I am deeply saddened and will attend the Funeral
at Clear Lake United Methodists Church on Feb. 9th.
Gwen and family, our prayers and condolences to you and your family. We have fond memories of Doug.
We are just so shocked and saddened by Doug’s passing. He and Dale were good friends in school. We would see Doug once in awhile over the years, but we had begun to get reacquainted since our 40th reunion 4 years ago. It was nice. He had not changed. He was still a very sweet and kind guy, who could crack a quick joke. He was at Steven’s (Dale’s brother) funeral last year. He spoke again of Dale’s dad taking them bowling often, since they weren’t old enough to drive. He had many good memories of their young friendship. Doug, rest in peace. You were a great guy. You will be missed. Many prayers for your sweet family.
Knew Doug from high school. Not really close but a very kind and nice guy!
Praying for the family and friends! It was great seeing him at the 40th reunion.
Gwen & Family,
Our prayers and sympathies are with you.
Rod & Judith
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Gwen, Carolyn and Connor, I am heartbroken. Doug was a soft spoken man, but he had a strong conviction of his faith. Our families have gone through many of life’s events at CLUMC and our girls (remember when we called them the 3 Musketeers). I still pinch myself wondering if this is just a dream. I can’t imagine what you are feeling, but I do know Doug loved our Lord, he walked the faith journey as a true believer sharing his faith in many areas of his life. I will always remember him walking through the hallway carring his bible in one hand and coffee in the other. He would stop and we would share what our kids were doing and just life. I will miss him dearly. The day he came to visit me at home after my surgery and MDA stay he shared with me his experience years ago and how he was a miracle and I was one, too. He was one of many who helped me grow stronger and learn to grow stronger in my walk with learning how to live with cancer. Doug was so kind and soft spoken, but when it came to his faith he never was quiet. He was a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I know he will be in heaven greeting us and celebrating. Love you, Sharon Rector and The Rector Family
I was shocked to see that Doug is gone. I worked with him at Jacobs Eng in Texas City a few years ago. He was an outstanding soul and a pleasure to work with. I know he will be missed. God’s peace be with your family.
I am so sad to hear this news. Doug was a great man, we brought 3 of our babies home to the home we rented from the Gates while we were working at CLUMC. Many prayers for the Gates family and all the friends who will greatly miss him.
We are so sorry to learn of Doug’s passing. I remember fondly his joking with us about A&M versus LSU–since our boys attended LSU.
May God welcome him home where he deserves to be. And may God wrap his loving arms around each of you at this difficult time.
Sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. We knew him as a friendly Bay Forest neighbor and Troop 848 parent. God bless Doug and his family!
Gwen and family – I am heartbroken for you and shocked and saddened to learn of Doug’s death. What a sweet, gentle spirit he was. I have so many fond memories of Doug throughout high school , college, and beyond. We so enjoyed seeing him when he was in the Dallas area a few years ago. Know that our prayers are with you as we ask God to surround you with his loving presence, and provide you the comfort and peace that only he can give. Charla and Fred Crisler
Gwen, Carolyn and Connor,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Doug’s passing. May God hold and comfort you as you celebrate his life.
Mark and Bridget Pearce
I worked with Doug at HL&P for many years. He was a very good man.
Only meeting Doug a few years back, I remember him as one of the more enthusiastic Clear Lake Band parents! Whenever there was a task to be done, you could bet Doug was up in front to volunteer. After Carolyn (and Tim) graduated, band trips ended but we occasionally would cross paths again at the local Kroger and there were always memorable exchanges of Band, football, and everything else under the sun. Peace be with you Doug, and the Gates family.
Growing up in Faith Church with Doug. Always remember Doug to always have a smiling face. Rest in pease. Prays and thoughts go out to your family.
David Roulston
Doug is my first cousin, and as children we grew up together. In November of 2016 we became reacquainted after many years, and for this I’m so very grateful. I love him like a brother, and will miss him so.
So sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. We played tennis together at Deer Park, and Doug went to A&M a year ahead of me. Doug had an amazing serve. He would ride his 10-speed to my house and we would trek 2 blocks to the old high school courts. What a competitor! Doug introduced me to Raleigh bicycles and Mito watches, when all I knew was Timex and Schwinn. Doug is the only other former student that I know had a white gold Aggie ring. I am sure he influenced everyone he encountered the same way he did me. Doug was a loyal friend.
I’m so shocked at the news of Doug’s passing! I’ve had so many wonderful conversations with Doug! He always asked about my family especially my boys to see how they were doing. He was one of the truly really good guys! To Gwen, Caroline, and Conner I know there isn’t much I can say to ease your pain but I continue praying for God to comfort you and wrap you with his warm embrace to help you through this! God Bless the Gates family! Know that Doug was a very loved man by so many, he will missed!
February 04, 2018
Dear Gwen, Carolyn and Connor,
I am so, so sad to hear of Doug’s death. He was a special one of that small, close high school friend’s group that hung out at our house a lot and I’ve enjoyed knowing you all through his eyes and proud sharing through the years and never dreamed that Christmas booklet this year would be my last. He certainly did wear his Christian faith proudly and was one of those people whose life exemplified that in his actions. I hope your good memories will sustain you all through this sad time and in the years to come. Warmest regards, Ms. D
I’m a Civil Engineer with ExxonMobil and had the pleasure of working with Doug at the Baytown offices of SNCLavalin. As I recall he was always kind, careful, and definitely thorough! A joy to work with and talk to, and I have no doubt it was in large measure his faith in Christ that’s been highlighted by so many others here.