Thomas S. Gates

Published 8:49 am Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Thomas S. Gates passed away on January 8, 2025, at Archbold Medical Center. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Bainbridge First Methodist Church with Rev. Chris Humphries and Rev. Nate Lehman officiating. Another funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Chapel with The Rev. Dr. Cindy Garrard officiating. A private interment will be held at Parkhill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Bainbridge First Methodist Church, P. O. Box 541, Bainbridge, GA 39818 or to National Civil War Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus, GA 31901.

Tom was born on July 31, 1944, in Columbus, GA to Charles Edwin Gates and Molly Scales Gates. He was a graduate of Columbus High School, Class of 1962 and received his BBA from the University of Georgia. He completed work for a Master’s degree at the University of Florida (though he never stopped cheering for the Dawgs).

Tom loved Columbus and one of his passions was studying the Chattahoochee River, especially as it related to the Civil War. He served as President of Port Columbus, the governing body of the National Civil War Naval Museum from 1983 to 2001, and was inducted into the Admirals Club. In 1986 he helped to lead the effort to raise money through The Columbus Challenge to build the museum in its present location, which helped preserve the remains of the ships, Jackson and the Chattanooga Gunboat. He was a long-time dedicated member of the Columbus Rotary Club, where he was a former Director, and was currently a member of the Bainbridge Rotary Club.

He was a Trustee and former director of the Historic Columbus Foundation and renovated 4 homes in the Historic District, including moving the McGehee-Woodall-Nilan House from its former location to to 645 2nd Avenue. He received the Sarah Turner Butler Heritage Award in 2001 for his service and contributions.

Tom was in charge of housing for the 1996 Olympics and started the Gates House Bed and Breakfast. He served on the Columbus Board of Commissioners from 2009 to 2011. Tom was a very successful Real Estate Developer, mainly in South Georgia and North Florida. He was a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management and served as President of the South Georgia Chapter. He came to Bainbridge in 1985 and developed several commercial properties. He fell in love with Bainbridge and became a real friend to our community.

His parenting motto was ensuring he provided his children with his time, attention and direction. He enjoyed teaching and taught Real Estate Broker’s Class and a Real Estate Salesman’s Class in the late 60’s at Columbus College. He later taught classes in different cities. Tom and his grandson, Tyler, were featured at the Way Down Film Festival at The Springer in 2017, in an old truck going fishing. He took great delight in his 35 years of sobriety through AA. Tom loved hunting, fishing, and bird watching.

He was a member of Bainbridge First Methodist Church and served on the Church Council from 2019 to 2024.

Survivors include his wife, Wynema “Sam” Gates of Bainbridge, GA; his children, Stacey P. Gates of Denver, CO, Chris Calle (Monica) of Columbus, GA, Carter Calle (Beth) of Alexandria, VA, Patrick Ferguson (Lisa) of Bishop, GA, and Tammi (Lee) Godwin of Bainbridge, GA, and Larry Miles of Bainbridge, GA; his grandchildren, Mariana Calle of Denver, CO, Anna Katherine Ferguson of Bishop, GA, and Tyler Godwin of Bainbridge, GA; his sisters-in-law, Sally Gates of Columbus, GA and Paula Berry of Atlanta, GA; his niece, Helen Hyslop (Robert) of Atlanta, GA; and his great-nephew, Gates Hyslop of Atlanta, GA. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 20 years, Carolyn Ferguson Gates; his daughters, Molly Ann Gates and an infant; his brothers, Joe Gates and Jim Gates; and a daughter, Diane Ivey.

On-line condolences may be sent to www.coxiveyfuneralhome.com.  Cox-Ivey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.