Raymond Melvin Gateley

R. Melvin Gateley, 91, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours April 23, 2018 at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau, MO where he received loving care and resided for almost two years. He was born August 21, 1926 in Oran, MO to the late Henry Milton Gateley and Katie Ursery Gateley. He and Ella Louise Sanders were married in Cape Girardeau on June 7, 1951; she survives. He was raised on a farm in Oran, MO with ten other siblings with whom he shared many fond memories. After graduating from Oran High School, he was drafted into the Army Air Corps, eventually serving in the Pacific during World War II. On completion of his military service he enrolled in SEMO (then Southeast Missouri State Teachers College) where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He went on to receive both Master's and Specialist Degrees in Education. Melvin's teaching profession spanned thirty seven years with the last twenty one as Principal of Louis J. Shultz Middle School in Cape Girardeau, MO. His final year was the culmination of his career when he also served as President of the Missouri State Teacher's Association. Melvin was very active in and dedicated to the community of Cape Girardeau, MO serving in many facets and on many committees, not the least of which were Vision 2000, Parks and Recreation Board, the United Way, and his eight year term on the Cape Girardeau City Council. Melvin spent countless hours on the beautification of Cape Girardeau, planting tens of thousands of roses and jonquils. After his profession of Faith in the Saving Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ on September 3, 1939; Melvin spent his entire life worshipping, working for and witnessing to Christ's Love, Grace, and Almighty Power. Melvin, himself an ordained minister and deacon volunteered tirelessly in the Baptist Church and for the Missouri Baptist Historical Commission. Through his work and vision on the Historical Commission, he was the coordinator for the reconstruction project of the Old Bethel Church in Jackson, MO known as the the first (non Catholic) church planted west of the Mississippi River. Melvin was preceded in death by both parents, and nine siblings. Survivors include his wife, Ella Gateley of Cape Girardeau; a son Stephen (Melinda) Gateley of Nashville, TN; a daughter Renauta (John) McNabb of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren Stuart Gateley, Andrew Gateley, Molly McNabb; as well as one sister Ruth Hency with her husband Bill. Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday April 27th at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, MO. Funeral service will be at 11:00am on Saturday April 28th at Lynwood Baptist Church, with Pastor Mark Anderson officiating. Visitation will be also be one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow with full military rites at Cape County Memorial Park. In Lieu of flowers or gifts, Melvin Gateley's family would be pleased if Memorial gifts would be made to either the "Missouri State Teachers Foundation" through http://www.mostf.org/gateleyfund/ or as a designated gift to "The Old Bethel Church Fund" through Lynwood Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Raymond Melvin Gateley

August 21, 1926 - April 23, 2018