William J. “Jack” Gage, 93, of Orange, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2013 in Orange.
A memorial service will be at 2:00, Friday January 3, 2014 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with inurnment to follow at the church. There will be a gathering of family and friends beginning at 1:30 until service time.
Born in Mill Hill, England on March 18, 1920, William was the son of David Malcolm and Olive Grace (Pyne) Gage. In 1926, “Jack” and his family immigrated to America on a freighter coming into New Orleans. During the voyage, they celebrated his 6th birthday and the captain of the ship made him a wooden toy. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and later served in the United States Army Signal Corps. He briefly worked for KFDM radio station and later worked and retired from DuPont where he was an instrument foreman and an instructor. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and he was very instrumental with forming the Orange Amateur Radio Relay League many years ago which he was also a member of. He loved talking with people around the world over the radio and he held his amateur radio license “HAM license” for 75 years. He was a member of the QCWA Club of Port Arthur and Tyler. His call sign was W5ICL. He also built an award winning replica Queen Mary ship and even built their lake house on Sam Rayburn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David Malcolm and Olive Grace Gage; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and George Herford; great great granddaughter, Prudence Eubanks and son-in-law, Guy Eubanks.
“Jack” is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris (Tibbits) Gage of Orange; daughters, Dorothy Eubanks of Jewett and Carolyn Curran and husband, Glenn of Orange and grandchildren, Marcie Acoba and husband, Vince of Howe, Kelley Long and husband, Brian of Canton, John Gayle and wife, Amanda of Conroe, Vickie Price of Bridge City and Tabitha Jarmon and husband, Chad of Coppell. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren; niece, Gayle Evans of Plano; nephew, Jack Byron Herford of Port Neches and numerous cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Paul Episcopal Church, 1401 W Park, Orange, TX 77630.
The family would like to thank Southeast Texas Hospice, Kay and Pearl for all their care along with Ophelia, Joyce, Dell and Edna for their care.
Condolences
Anonymous
January 2, 2014
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of William J. “Jack” Gage.
Benny Rhoads
December 31, 2013
Jack was a big help getting me started in Ham Radio Teletype. Jack and his wife spent hours over the years sitting at the Dairy Queen in Buna on their way back from their camp at Sam Rayburn talking Ham Radio. I later wound up working with Jack at DuPont, and always had a good time talking about Ham Radio. Jack was always one of the "Old Guys" you could depend on to have the right answers. Jack will be missed. Benny Rhoads W5TYZ
Tina Malone
December 31, 2013
To the Gage family, Ninety-three year old-I’m sure conversations about the “old days”, Mr. Gage experienced in life, must have been a joy to listen to. Even though I didn’t know him personally, I have always had a memories you’ve stored special fondness for the elderly. Their life experiences help me to be the person I am today, in caring for the needs of others. No matter what age a person dies, it still breaks our hearts. According to Psalms 90:10, Mr. Gage had “special mightiness” to live as long as he did. Yet, 93 years is not enough, when our heavenly Father, Jehovah God intended for us to live forever in paradise on earth. God is “near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” Draw comfort in the resurrection hope and the precious in your heart. Revelation 21:3-5, Proverbs 3:5-7.