Captain Brent Allen Gates, USAF, Ret., age 66, a former Oak Harbor area resident, died on Thursday, May 17, 2007.
He was born on January 28, 1941 in Tonasket, Washington, the son of Maurice & Ester Netzley Gates. Brent spent much of his youth in the Spokane area where he attended high school and where he was a member of the Air National Guard. Just after his 17th birthday he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force assignments took him to Biloxi, Mississippi, Bedford, England, Syracuse, New York, Bremerhaven, Germany and several assignments in Texas, including San Antonio, San Angelo, College Station and Commerce.
During his tour of Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Brent’s military career involved Intelligence/Communications; training as a Russian linguist; Officers Training School; and obtaining his Bachelors and Masters Degrees while serving as an ROTC instructor. His final assignment brought his military career full circle when he became Squadron Commander at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS to the same squadron he was assigned to as a 17 year old airman.
He served 20 years in the Air Force and was a true ‘MUSTANG’, a term known in the military as someone who had worked his way up through the ranks starting as a basic airman and achieving the rank of an officer.
At 37 years of age he began his second career in the Financial Services Industry and became a stock broker for Merrill Lynch in New Orleans and eventually transferred with Merrill Lynch to Seattle. Staying in his native Washington, Brent later worked for various companies such as Prudential, Colonial and Van Eck, achieving the position of Vice President.
Complications from diabetes resulted in an early retirement from Brent, but even facing the many health challenges he had he still managed to continue an active life.
Brent enjoyed spending the winter months at his Arizona home and summers at his home on Whidbey Island.
He was an intelligent, witty and charming ‘officer and a gentleman’ who achieved many successes in both his military and financial services careers. His legacy lives on through his daughter, Cathy and his two grandsons, Ben and Oliver. He also leaves his older sister, Judy and a younger sister, Karen.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a Life Celebration service with Military Honors on Friday, May 25, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley.
Memorials in memory of Brent are suggested to the Air Force Aid Society AFAS.org
Captain Gates was an AFROTC instructor at East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas when I initially joined the corps in Spring 1974. A true professional. He set the standard for me to emulate as I started my Air Force career. RIP Warrior. We have the Watch.