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Obituary for Robert E. “Bob” Gates
SERVICES ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2020 have been postponed. Services to be held at a future date. Details will be forthcoming.
Robert Edward (Bob) Gates, 70, died Monday, June 29, 2020 at Baptist Medical Center.
Due to COVID precautions, a service celebrating Bob's life will be announced at a later date.
Bob was born on January 21, 1950 in Jackson, the son of the late Edward Brown and Martha Rice Gates. A graduate of Provine High School, he continued his education at Mississippi College and Belhaven College where he earned his degree. Bob’s many vocations through the years including working at a florist shop, construction work, Frito-Lay, UPS, McCarty/Tyson Foods, Stuart C. Irby and also was a guitar instructor at Morrison Brothers (music store) at Cook Center in Jackson.
Bob retired from ITS where he worked as a computer supervisor. A well known and avid musician, Bob played in numerous bands throughout the years and was especially known for the beautiful instrumentals he loved to play and also enjoyed time recording in a studio.
Bob enjoyed biking, painting, sculpting and hiking in his younger years and spent three months hiking in Jamaica. He was also an accomplished photographer and began this passion serving on the Provine High School yearbook.
Bob was a faithful member of Wells Memorial United Methodist Church, where his music was enjoyed by all of his fellow parishioners. Bob opened WellsFest every year with the National Anthem (Jimi Hendrix Style). Three most important things in Bob’s life: his relationship with Christ; family and friends; playing music.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Jesse Allen Gates.
He is survived by his wife, Joy Allen Gates of Jackson; sister, Kay Tynes and her husband Mike of Clinton; brother, Bill Bailey and wife Carol of AL; nieces and nephews: Katie, Kristen, Lydia, Steve and Eric.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 950 6th Ave North, Naples, FL 34102.