Gage Patrick G. Obituary (1951

Patrick Gage passed away July 9, 2013 at home in Chehalis. He was 62. Patrick G. Gage, son of George and Barbara (Wiehl) Gage, was born Jan. 12, 1951, in Ellensburg, Wash. He was raised in Chehalis and was a 1969 graduate of W.F. West High School. During his high school years, Patrick was a standout cross-country and track athlete, setting multiple school and course records and leading the W.F. West cross-country team to victory in the 1968 state championship race. Patrick served his country in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972. He earned the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding service as a Medical Lab Specialist (E5) at the 3rd Surgical Hospital, Binh Thuy, Vietnam. Patrick was proud of his military service, and used his military training as a laboratory technologist to serve the community in hospitals and clinics for many years. He met Lynette White during the summer after his ninth grade year, and married his high school sweetheart on Feb. 13, 1971, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Chehalis, two weeks before shipping out to Vietnam. They were married for 42 years and blessed with two sons, one daughter and six grandchildren. A life-long learner who enjoyed new vocational challenges, Patrick wore many hats throughout his life. After the service, he attended Central Washington University, Ellensburg, and was the first member of his large extended family to earn a Bachelor's Degree. He patrolled the Pacific beaches as a Washington State Park Ranger and worked with troubled youth as a security supervisor at Green Hill School; he was a real property appraiser for Lewis County and in private practice, a golf course superintendent, and a savings and loan banking specialist. Patrick took pride in whatever he did, no matter what it was. He was always happiest on a mower, whether it was manicuring a fairway or mowing his own backyard. He always considered his children and grandchildren his greatest accomplishments. In addition to his wife, Lynette, he is survived by his mother; a brother, Grant "Gig" Gage, Winterhaven, Calif.; a sister, Sherry (Brian) Shepherd, Bucoda; two sons, the Rev. Ryan (Edith) Gage, Eureka, S.D. and Matthew (Lexi) Gage, Chehalis; one daughter, Heather (Dr. Jake) Heck, Chehalis; and six grandchildren, Oliver Heck, Amanda Gage, Callum Heck, Lilly Gage, Rachel Gage and Dane Gage. He was preceded in death by his father on Feb. 16, 1990. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 15, 2013, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2190 Jackson Hwy, Chehalis, with the Rev. Linda Smith officiating. Private family burial service will follow. In lieu of flowers, Patrick's family suggests memorials to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, St. John's Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choice.