Of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Grand Junction, CO and Kansas City, MO, age 39, passed away Monday, February 23, 2026, in New Buffalo, Michigan. He was born June 30, 1986, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the son of Marjorie Diane (Kohn) Gates & James Walter Gates.
Jimmy had a bachelor of science degree from Colorado Mesa University. He worked for Bose as a software engineer for their vehicle sound system division, and he enjoyed his job very much. He had also worked for Quantum Signal AI in Saline. Jimmy was a simple man and a creature of habit. He loved his dog, Zoe. Jimmy enjoyed fantasy books, fanfiction, the Great Lakes, green trees, and taking long rides in his car and listening to audio books. He was a foodie, and liked to stop at different restaurants while out on his drives. He was especially close to his sister, Bailey, and his nephew, Christopher, who lived with him for the first five years of Christopher’s life.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by 4 siblings, Tabitha McCabe of Grand Junction, CO, Bailey (David) Sergeant of Chelsea, Robert (Emily) Gates of Parachute, CO, Alice (Kevin) Gates of Rifle, CO; 6 nieces and nephews, Shannon Wiley, Navaeh Cole, Christopher Sergeant, Elizabeth Gates, Natalie Gates, and Cora Burk. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Walter Gates.
A celebration of life will be held in Colorado at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Midwest Beagle Rescue, Education and Welfare (BREW), P.O. Box 498, Wadsworth, IL 60083. Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.
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