Juston Gaines Gates, Jr. age 61
Dr. Juston Gaines Gates Jr., aged 61, passed from this fragile, precious life in Oklahoma University Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, during the opening minutes of April 23rd, 2026, roughly a week after being struck by an accidental spray of shotgun pellets while on a hunting trip. He had come a long way from his place of birth in Memphis, Tennessee, though perhaps not unbelievably far; from the land of his upbringing in northern Mississippi, he had traveled to and lived in a handful of southern states aside from those mentioned prior, including Texas, Florida, and the disputable member of that southern classification, Missouri. When he died, Juston was in the adoring company of his immediate family, members of his extended family, and close friends. Among them were those he is survived by, his sister and her husband, Mitzi and Sammy Sewell, and his three children, Elizabeth Klaire, Caleb Gaines, and Leah Madelyn Gates. His parents, Anna Joy Gates, formerly Anna Joy Williams, and Juston Gaines Gates Sr. passed on before him.
Being a man of study, Juston’s first notable achievement in his pursuit of education was his graduation from Kirby High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He continued his journey at both the University of Memphis and the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss to its friends. Through his efforts at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he secured his Master of Divinity degree. Then came his time at Luther Rice College & Seminary. From that institution, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree.
If Juston was a man of study, he was in equal measure one of action, putting forth his wholehearted efforts into his career. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he instructed high school students in the study of biology and coached them in baseball and football. Later, he started his career in law enforcement in the place where he was born, serving as an officer for the Memphis Police Department. He later served as an instructor for the police department of Tupelo, Mississippi, and eventually joined that branch’s SWAT team. Eventually, he had the opportunity to practice his SWAT skills for the United States Border Patrol in Texas. He also worked as an officer for the police department of Allen, Texas, for a time. After being called to ministry, Juston pastored Southern Baptist churches in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Missouri. Soon after his move to Missouri, Juston became the senior pastor of the nearby First Baptist Church Forsyth, as well as continued his career in education as an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at College of the Ozarks. His service to his faith became administrative in a larger scope as well while participating for seven years as a member of the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention. This trend continued in the form of him taking on the role as President of the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.
Juston appreciated a broad variety of what life had to offer. Though he was a fan of the New York Yankees, among sports, golf was his passion, and shockingly for the time of year, in the midst of summer yardwork, one could expect to see a sparse hail of golf balls descend around his former home in Forsyth, Missouri. He enjoyed good food and trying new dishes to find what experiences were out there waiting for him; Zebra Cakes stood out as a distinguished favorite. Music was a source of joy that eased the traveling pains of many road trips; Bad Company never failed to elicit a performance from him. His prodigious admiration for Elvis Presley stood consistent throughout the years. While he was an active man, maintaining a disciplined workout regimen over the course of his adult life, he made time for stationary leisure as well, spending it scrolling through Facebook posts and watching movies, usually of the war, action, or the ever-glorious western genre. However, like all good men, fundamentally, Juston found much of his satisfaction in his loving relationship with his friends and his family. But, even these paled in comparison to his love for his God. He identified 2 Corinthians 5:8, “In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” as a favored verse. And, now, he has received that preference and rests in the everlasting embrace of his one truest love, his Creator.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the Missouri Baptist Foundation for addition to the Juston Gates Fund, which will benefit Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, St. Jude's Children’s Hospital, and Educational Scholarships.
The address for the Missouri Baptist Foundation for funds to be sent is: Missouri Baptist Foundation, c/o Juston Gates Fund, PO Box 1113, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
