Dollie Ruth (Coon) Gates |
| Posted 2008-06-29 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ June 18, 2008 Dollie Ruth Coon Gates passed away on June 8 at EIRMC of a sudden illness with her family at her side. Mom was born fourth in a family of six to Frederick and Lillie Cozad Coon at Queen Creek Siding, Maricopa County, Ariz., on Feb. 21, 1923. When the children were old enough to attend school, the family moved to Wickenburg. Dollie loved her growing-up years there, even though it involved a lot of hard work. We loved her stories of the desert life, and all the things kids had to do there. Mom was not only proud of having graduated from Wickenburg High School in 1940, but that she had attended Northern Arizona University. Mom was offered a prestigious position of being a “Harvey Girl” at the Bright Angel Lodge at the Grand Canyon. One day as she walked into the dining area in her uniform, there was a young man playing in a band who admitted that when he saw her, he totally “destroyed” the song. Elgin T. Gates married Dollie in July of 1941 in Flagstaff, Ariz. Mom and Dad lived mostly in the Southern California area until moving to Ammon, Idaho in 1978. Most of their married years Mom supported Dad’s dreams of speedboat racing, but especially of big game hunting. He spent months on end traveling the world on hunts, and she stayed home and raised the children. Dad said he couldn’t have done it without Mom’s love and support. Elgin passed away in November of 1988. Dollie was known for her flowers, her artwork, but especially for her love of family and friends. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Mom and Dad had five children: Sharron (Ken Bogowitz) Ward of Hawaii; Irene (Tom) Graham of California; Elgin F., Randolph (Judy), and Robert (Diane) Gates all of the Ammon area, seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by brother Fred Coon Jr. of California. Mom was preceded in death by Dad, three sisters, and a granddaughter. Services were held Friday, June 13 at Coltrin’s Mortuary. Internment at Ammon Cemetery will be a private service at a later date. |
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