From staff reports A street dedication ceremony is scheduled to honor Lawton’s first Black firefighter, Raymond L. Gates.
The event will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 in the Ranch Oak Addition to celebrate Gates’ trailblazing legacy.
As part of the tribute, two honorary “Mr. Raymond L. Gates” street signs will be unveiled at the intersections of Southwest Salinas Drive and Southwest Sedalia Avenue, and Southwest Chisholm Trail Boulevard and Southwest Sedalia Avenue.
After the ceremony, guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Rose Hill Church, 1212 SW Tennessee Ave.
Gates made history Sept. 1, 1971, when he broke barriers by joining the Lawton Fire Department. During his distinguished 20-year career, he rose to the rank of Assistant Fire Marshal, attending advanced fire training in Oklahoma City and setting a precedent for excellence, dedication, and leadership. Gates retired in 1991.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, Gates’ nephew, Anthony Hall, is serving on the Lawton Fire Department and carries on his uncle’s legacy. However, Hall, who is also a member of the Army National Guard, is currently deployed and will not return until December 2025.