Elgin F. "Butch" Gates, 61, of Idaho Falls, passed away Wednesday, Dec 30th, 2009, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Butch was born September 10, 1948, in Needles, California, to Elgin T. and Dollie R. Coon Gates. He attended school in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Needles, California. He attended college in San Bernardino, California. He served in the United States Air Force and later in the United States Army where he was on the military shooting teams. After his military service, he went back to Needles and went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad. He was a conductor at the time of his retirement. He also served as the Deputy Sheriff, tracking lost people and fugitives in the desert as well as working extensively with the Search and Rescue. Butch loved his maps, the desert, and looking for things lost including airplane crashes. He was an active member of the aircraft wreck chasing community, contributing research and helping others with their publications and other projects. He enjoyed the time he spent in the desert and his family remembers him spending many happy hours roving all over the desert showing them wonderful places that very few people knew about. Butch was a devout Jehovah's Witness. Besides being a dedicated "pioneer" he helped out with numerous church builds in the western states. He enjoyed the time he spent with his many church friends. He is survived by his sisters: Sharron (Kenny) Ward of Hawaii, Irene (Tom) Graham of Fountain Valley, California; brothers: Randy (Judy) Gates and Robert (Diane) Gates both of Idaho Falls, ID. He was preceded in death by his parents At Butch's request he was cremated. Memorial services will be at 6:00 PM Saturday, January 9th, 2010, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 4805 Sweet Water Way, Ammon, Idaho. Inurnment will be a private family ceremony. Online condolences or a sympathy card, may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com