Richard (Dick) Clarence Gates

Richard (Dick) Clarence Gates of Etowah passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Life Care Center in Hendersonville on May 19, 2014. His friendly demeanor and wit will be missed by his family and friends.

Dick was born in Gardner, Mass., on June 7, 1928, and was the son of Myrle Hyde Gates and Clarence C. Gates. Dick was preceded in death by two loving wives: Mary Harris Gates of Etowah and Denise B. Gates of Brevard.

Dick graduated from Montclair High School in 1946 and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Upon graduation, he was drafted during the Korean War and served as a corporal in the Signal School at Camp Gordon, GA. After completing his military service, he started working for Owens Corning Fiberglas where he had a successful career for over thirty years in human resources. During much of his career he lived in Maumee, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo, Ohio. After his retirement in 1987, he moved to Brevard where he lived for 18 years. He moved to Etowah Reach in 2006 and married Mary Harris in 2007.

Dick was an avid hiker, walker and tennis player and a sports enthusiast from an early age. He was also active with his church and volunteered his time at Sharing House for many years.

Dick is survived by two children, Alison Gates Andrews of Laytsonville, Md., and Philip Gates of Columbus, Ohio; a sister, Marilyn Hedstrom of Arvonia, Va.; two sisters-in-law, Esther Gates of Chappaqua, N.Y., and Yvonne Boucher of Northampton, Mass., along four nieces and four nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2014, at the Brevard Davidson River Presbyterian Church.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

To sign the online guest book visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com.