Gates, George O.

George O. Gates

June 11, 1946 — August 8, 2021

George Osborne Gates died peacefully Sunday, August 8, 2021, at The Cardinal Wing of The Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt., at age 75 following a brief illness. George resided at the VA under their loving care for the past four years after developing a sudden onset of early dementia. George brought joy to the Veterans Community.

George was born in Springfield, VT on June 11, 1946, and was the son of Gordon Gates. of Chester and Patricia Rowell of Rowell’s Inn in Andover. The Gates Family owned and operated the Lumber Mill (until destroyed by fire) on Lowell Lake where they lived in Londonderry, VT later moving to Andover, VT.

George was a man of many talents and interests. Graduating from Chester Union High School in 1965 he went on to serve his country as a US Navy Seabee in the Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 301 where he was assigned to the Detail Bravo Khe Sanh where he served as EO3 (Third Class Petty Officer) and promoted to EO2 during his service. He was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, PUC (Presidential Unit Citation) NUC (Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Campaign Stars and Fleet Marine Combat insignia. George was present during the Battle and Siege of Khe Sanh. He was released from active Duty in September of 1969.