Temple Juett: A Man Comfortable in His Own Skin

I did not know Gatewood well, but I do have a story about him. 

While in private practice, I was with a firm that maintained office space in the same building as Gatewood.  I remember I first saw him in the parking lot after his run.  A gangling man in his fifties, sweating profusely and wearing nothing more than a very small pair of running shorts and shoes.  It was not the kind of sight that goes easily unnoticed, nor was his periodic tai-chi routine. 

Always a very likeable man, I once offered to buy him a drink at Lynagh’s.  He slowly turned to me with his characteristically big smile shaded by the brim of his trademark fedora and responded boisterously, “Buddy, I haven’t had a drink for over 20 years…it messes with my buzz too much.” 

I also watched as he explained to his friend Willie Nelson, why he chose an office across the street from the police department… “so we can keep an eye on each other.” 

Gatewood was a very bright and witty man who was very comfortable in his skin and not afraid to stand up for everything he believed in.  For this (and for my brief elevator ride with Willie Nelson) I admired him very much.  The world will definitely be a little less pleasant without him.