Wynn Wellington Gates

Wynn Wellington Gates, 55, returned home on July 16, 2026, after battling cancer courageously for two years. Wynn loved being outdoors, often working in the yard and going for walks and hikes. A profoundly spiritual man, he immersed himself in the scriptures and went out of his way to serve others, helping them feel seen and heard. He cherished spending time with his family, his greatest joy. He will be deeply missed.

Wynn was born in Ogden, Utah, on June 27, 1971. During the first days of his life, he nearly died of three different conditions, including a respiratory disease that took the life of President Kennedy’s baby eight years prior. Miraculously, the illnesses resolved, and Wynn grew to be a healthy child.

Until Wynn was four, his family lived in a historic home in Layton along with his grandparents. He spent the rest of his childhood in Ogden, where he became immersed in musical theater. By the age of twelve, Wynn sang in the Mount Ogden Boys Chorus, performed in two operas and three musicals, went on tour to six states with fellow cast members, featured in a commercial, and acted as Joseph Smith in a series.

After graduating from Ogden High School, Wynn got a scholarship to visit Europe for a month. Upon returning, he attended Brigham Young University. He paused his studies to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Denmark. After his mission he continued his studies at BYU. He took a break to live in California, where he worked for Dynamic Systems and served as the elders’ quorum president in a singles ward. Two years later, he returned to BYU to finish his Bachelor of History degree, graduating in 1998. Soon he met Arlene Derrick on a blind date, fell in love instantly, and married her for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on August 16, 1999.

Wynn and Arlene both pursued their master’s degrees as newlyweds. After graduating with his Master of Business Administration degree from BYU, Wynn was rehired by Dynamic Systems, where he managed a team that helped many customers with their data centers. Wynn and Arlene moved to California in 2002 where their first child John was born. Soon afterward, the Gates returned to Utah, and Wynn worked remotely for sixteen years. In 2018, he started Compass Group, a service that aided employers recruiting candidates. Then he joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2023.

Wynn and Arlene added two more children to their family: Adam in 2005 and Jane in 2009. Wynn loved his children and spent time with them as much as possible. He loved planning family vacations. Wynn considered his wife and children to be the perfect family. He was also a dedicated son: he took care of his parents by moving them into a nearby senior center as their health declined and tenderly caring for them until they passed away.

Wynn is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and LaVan Gates. He is survived by his wife, Arlene Derrick Gates, and his three children: John (Katelyn), Adam, and Jane.

The viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at Russon Mortuary: 1941 N, Main Street, Farmington, Utah. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Quail Crossing Chapel: 2230 S 350 E, Kaysville, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be in the Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 East Crestwood Road, Kaysville, Utah..