Todd Lee Gates

Todd Gates, 46, of Colorado Springs, CO, formerly from Spencer, passed away Feb. 8 in Colorado Springs. Todd was born in Spencer on March 13, 1969, to Gayle and Dennis Gates. Todd lived in Spencer while he was growing up attending K through 12th grades in the Spencer school system. In 1988 Todd graduated from high school and began accounting studies at Iowa Lakes Community College. As a young adult, Todd worked with local contractors Klaas Groen, Mike Eckhart, Gregg Stanislav, Gary Stevenson and Vaughn DeLoss. Todd became a close friend of the Kephart family and worked for Schilling Engraving. Todd and Terri Kephart married Oct. 21, 1994. They moved to Kansas City in 1999, where Todd quickly worked his way into a project management role at Noel Designs. Todd valued his job and the opportunities he had there, along with the many close friends he made in Kansas City. Todd and Terri moved to Colorado Springs in 2003, and Todd became a self-employed carpenter and craftsman. He advertised only by word of mouth, backed by the quality of his work and reputation, and eventually he named his company Springs Woodwright. Those familiar with Todd's work know he invested himself completely in doing the best job possible. A perfectionist, he was uncompromising in quality and unyielding in his work ethic. Todd was also an artist. He was a rare talent who could envision an abstract idea and make it a physical reality. He found a creative outlet in designing sets for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, where he made some lifelong friends. Todd relished a challenge and needed to take pride in his work. Todd was content outdoors, in the trees and mountains. His appreciation for nature extended to his work. He had a reverence for and an encyclopedic knowledge of wood, and each piece he crafted was a tribute to the trees used to create it. Even those who only knew Todd as an acquaintance knew him to be a man of integrity. He lived by his own steadfast moral code and always did what he believed was right. Todd was preceded in death by his grandparents William M. Johnson, Kenny and Jean Gates, and Lavon DeLoss; his aunt Linda Smock; and his former mother-in-law Valeta 'Vee' Kephart. He is survived by his parents Gayle and Vaughn DeLoss of Spencer and Dennis Gates of Indianapolis; his grandmother Peggy 'Pat' Johnson of Spencer; his sisters Jayme DeLoss of Fort Collins, CO, Robyn DeLoss Henkler (Kyle) of Minneapolis, and Laura Hogrefe (Tyler and Everett) of Ankeny. Todd is also survived by Terri Gates of Colorado Springs, Val and Phil Schilling of Spencer, Tabatha Schilling of Lincoln, NE, and Blade Schilling of Cedar Falls. He is also remembered by his extended family and many friends. Todd will be fondly remembered for his considerate, compassionate, and giving nature. With his gregarious personality and witty sense of humor, Todd made friends easily everywhere he went. He was a thoughtful confidant, fun-loving companion, and entertaining storyteller. Todd left an indelible impression on all who knew him. His loss is felt profoundly by the friends and family members whose lives he improved with his influence. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in Todd's honor. As one option, this website allows you to select a national forest in need of repopulation following wildfires, including the Black Forest near Colorado Springs: http://thetreesremember.com/memorial-trees/

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