Earl Franklin Kates, 84, a longtime resident of Spanish Fort, died on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at a local hospital of complications from a long time illness.
He was born May 27, 1924 in Rosmond, Ill., one of eight children. He was a 1942 graduate of Nokomis High School in Illinois. He served briefly in the Army in World War II and then married Phyllis Gilbert on Dec. 31, 1945.
He moved his family to Alabama in 1957 and was a custom home building contractor for many years and later a custom pool builder in the Foley and Spanish Fort areas. After retirement, he enjoyed several hobbies, winning numerous awards in woodcarving and pyrography (wood burning).
He was a long time member of Daphne United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees and projects. One of his greatest love missions was the Ministry Healing.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jim Kates.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Evelyn Gilbert Kates of Spanish Fort; three daughters, Sue (Jim) McNamee of Littleton, Colo., Angela (Walton) Sohrt of Alvin, Texas, and Earlene (Randy) Steadham of Spring, Texas, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 10 at Daphne United Methodist Church.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Daphne United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 609, Daphne, AL, 36526. Please earmark your donation for the “Renovation of the Community Life Center,” a project that was near and dear to his heart.
