Kerry Gage

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Kerry Alan Gage passed away at home surrounded by family on September 3, 2022 following an extended illness. He was born in Petersburg, TX on September 4, 1938 to Morgan Neil Gage and Maggie Elma Patterson Gage.

During high school Kerry played football and worked at his parent’s grocery store. After high school Kerry learned skills in the navy that prepared him to become a flight service specialist for the Federal Aviation Agency. Kerry transitioned from air traffic controller to pilot weather briefer and worked 30+ years for the FAA.

On December 26, 1966 Kerry married Mary Jo Phipps in Childress, TX. He loved his beautiful bride and gained Mark as a son, which he claimed was a wonderful bonus when marrying his mother. In January of 1970 Kerry and Mary had a daughter and named her Lana Jill.

In 1974 with a move to Houston, TX Kerry and Mary became very active in the Southeast Church of Christ. Kerry was a joy bus captain and leading by example he adopted full neighborhoods of Houston evangelizing, loving, and taking care of the needy. His dedication to this ministry inspired Mark to become a bus captain in his teen years, adopting a neighborhood of his own, reaching out to others for the Lord. The bus ministry sparked a love for God and for others that would be passed down to the next generation.

In the mid 1980’s Kerry and Mary moved to Conroe, TX where they started the Rainbow of Love ministry teaming up with others in the Conroe Church of Christ to send gifts and scriptures of encouragement to new moms, new Christians, and graduating high school seniors.

Kerry was a talented vocalist and music lover with a keen sense of humor. He sported a different hat to work each day. He loved kids and told stories to his kids, nieces, and grandchildren. He was devoted, loving, and accepting of people who were different or disadvantaged. He was also fun and funny but could be strict when needed and expected responsible, Godly behavior.

After caring for Mary’s mother in their home they cared for Kerry’s mother in their home. While caring for Kerry’s mother the 10 gallon hat wearing Texans transported to Joplin MO, where the Gages fell in love with the Mt Hope Church of Christ. After losing his mother the year of the Joplin tornado Kerry lost Mary in 2020. Kerry continuously prayed that God would give him ways to minister to others in his old age, that the church would be blessed, and that COVID 19 would be defeated. Surrounded by faithful brothers and sisters in Christ and family, Kerry spent the last years of his life loving others, praying, enjoying music and movies, giving gifts, telling jokes and trying to encourage church leaders and ministers, caregivers, family members and other Christians.

Kerry was preceded in death by his parents Neil and Maggie Gage, his father-in-law, Jack Phipps, his mother-in-law Minnie Phipps, his brothers Don Gage & Pat Gage, his wife, Mary Gage, his brother-in-law, Billy Jack Phipps, and his sister-in-law, Donna Gage.

Kerry is survived by his son Mark Gage and grandson, Jeffrey Gage, his daughter Jill Stadler (Al Stadler), grandson Kerry Stadler, granddaughter Tara Kingrey (Skylor Kingrey), great granddaughter Sierra Midence, great grandson Gabriel Kingrey, 2 sister-in-laws Shirley Gage and Norma Phipps, and nieces Melody, Ann, Lisa, Lori, & Lyssa and their families.

The family requests donations to be made in Kerry's memory to the Fairhaven Children's Home in care of the mortuary.

Funeral services have been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 9, 2022 at Mount Hope Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Wildrose Cemetery in Webb City, Missouri. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation on Thursday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.