Ronald E. Gates

Ronald Edward Gates, the 13th child of Mamie Douglas Gates and Monroe Jameson Gates, departed this earth on Sunday, June 13, 2010. Locally he worked in real estate as a property manager and as owner/broker of Anchor Realty, retiring in 2003. Before moving to Faulkner County he had a distinguished 20-year military career in numerous areas of aviation beginning as a paratrooper and ending as an air traffic controller. It was as an air traffic controller that he met his wife of 35 years, Loretta Broach Gates. He is survived by his wife and five children, Ronald M. Gates and wife Barbara, Sherry Johnson and husband Neil, Thomas Gates and wife Robin, Sandra Marshall and husband Mike, and Jamie Gates and wife Melissa. His surviving brother is D.M. "Bud" Gates and wife Priscilla. Surviving sisters are Sylvia Enfinger, Katie Bohanick, Dixie Welch and husband Dan, Pat Kuhar and husband Ed, Jean Ayers and husband Charlie, and Faye Rueff and husband Jim. His grandchildren are Erica, Brittany, Jennifer, Victoria, Allegra, Allison, Tommy, Ronnie, Chance and two yet to be named--but expected in July. He enjoyed a very close relationship with his in-laws, Bob and Ann Broach, who also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Helen Morris, Sue Nelson, Iona Quattrone, Virgie Roselli, Rena Gates, and a brother Gerald Gates. Ronnie was born in Pensacola, Florida on January 20, 1943. He was raised in the small community of Ferry Pass. Ronnie, like many of his family and community members, was baptized in Carpenters Creek at a young age and learned the fundamentals of Christianity from his devout mother. Through adolescent strife, temporary family separations, personal relationships, military special operations and combat assignments, he was able to maintain a journey with the God of the universe and his son Jesus. He acknowledged mistakes, especially in his early years, but did not live with regret; rather he focused on planning, education, and determination for a better life. He learned reflection, forgiveness, redemption, mercy and grace and lived with passion. He believed that his special relationship will continue throughout eternity which he will spend greeting family and friends in praiseful songs and eternal joy. He wants to stroll across heaven with us. He was a shrimper, a paratrooper, an air traffic controller, a combat veteran, a military instructor, a realtor, and a student of nature and history. He was a distinguished master shooter for the Army. He had many ribbons and medals including Air Medals earned in two tours in Viet Nam. He retired from worldwide military assignments before moving to Faulkner County in 1980. He was a hunter, a fisher, a trapper, a tanner, a pickler, a planner, a poet, a straight shooter, a music lover, and a pretty good domino player. He had a creative spirit, a zest for life and unmatched love for his family. He was independent of social convention and loved unconditionally. His passion for life, his hunting and fishing adventures, and his cooking were a blessing to all family and friends--literally adding spice and excitement to our lives. His life will be celebrated at a memorial service held at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Conway at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 17 and later this summer in Pensacola, Florida. Honorary pallbearers are his 45 nieces and nephews who adored and learned much from him. If you choose to make a donation in lieu of flowers the family would appreciate your consideration of Conway Cancer Foundation (Pres. Chris Bridwell, 2605 College Ave., Conway, Ark. 72034) or John H. Dunn Disabled American Veterans Chapter 10, P.O. Box 2172, Conway, Ark. 72032). Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.