Ronald David Gates, 71, passed away on September 30, 2026, in Longview, TX, surrounded by family. Ron was born December 27, 1954 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Ann and Richard Gates, the youngest of 5 brothers. Ron met his wife, Katie, in high school, married shortly thereafter, and welcomed 8 children, eventually settling in Huntington Beach, California. Ron’s career began in drafting for Mattel, where he participated in designing prototypes of Star Wars action figures that his children have fond memories of seeing at home growing up. Additionally, he was self-taught in engineering landing him lead positions in software development creating CAD training materials with companies such as McDonnell Douglas and EDS. He eventually became a business partner with a colleague’s company, CADtrain, Inc., under the title of Director of Development, and from which he eventually retired. In Ron’s spare time, aside from trying unsuccessfully to convince his children that learning Bridge would be fun, and enjoying playing card games like Cribbage and Hearts with them, he religiously followed the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. Once his eldest son took up football in high school, he became a Cincinnati Bengals fan as well. Ron also loved to sing and was an accomplished bass voice, participating in choirs and even a little barbershop throughout his adult life. Some of Ron’s best vocal memories and years were as a member of the Saint Augustine Voices, a Catholic vocal group composed of his wife, children, and family friends. Ron truly enjoyed being a grandfather. He desired to be a help to his children raising their own, and amongst other things, would hold a baby as long as mom and dad needed a break. Ron is survived by his brother, Roger, his eight children and 43 grandchildren.