Gatens, John Harold

John Harold Gatens, 91, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Iowa City, died peacefully Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas. Mass of Christian Burial will be 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at St. Patrick's Church, with the Very Rev. Rudolph Juarez officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice.

Harold was born March 4, 1922, the son of Daniel and Annastasia Peters Gatens. He attended the University of Iowa and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On June 3, 1942, Harold married Norma Leeney at St. Patrick's Church.

While living in Iowa City, Harold was a partner in Gatens Cattle Co., a family business. In 1959, the family moved to Amarillo, Texas, where Harold was a cattle buyer.

Harold was a past exalted ruler of Iowa City Elks Lodge and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Bishop Cosgrove 4th Degree.

Survivors include his seven children, Carme White of West Hollywood, Calif., Cyndie (Robert) Eby of Charlotte, N.C., John (Kathy) Gatens Jr. of San Antonio, James (Becky) Gatens of Houston, Teri Gatens of San Antonio, Colleen Snider (Damon Wood) of Coppell, Texas, and Michael (DeDe) Gatens of San Antonio; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law, Marylou Gatens of Iowa City and Diane Riley of Coralville; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Norma; his siblings, Edmund (Mary Virginia), Donald, Mary Ellen and Irene (Earl) Riley; and his nephew, Dan Gatens.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published Dec. 19, 2013 in The Gazette