Charles Odis Gates Jr. found peace entering heaven Thursday, March 15th where we know he was greeted by God, family and friends. With all of dad’s talents we are confident he is already at work challenging the status quo on production output or how something can be improved. Dad represented love, strength and confidence in his life while he pursued his passions and approached life at full speed ahead. There was no idle time in dad’s life from childhood to the end he was forever fixing, creating, or improving something. His hobby’s ranged from automobiles, motorcycles, ham radio operator, Goldwing Frogs motorcycle club, boating in the Pacific and many forms of construction. Charles worked in the aerospace industry in Southern California as a research and development machinist at Northrop Gruman. His duties included a supervisory role “den mother” working until his retirement at 53 years of age. In his 24 years of retirement spent in Sonora, he fulfilled his dream of “living where he loved to camp”. Although dad was ever moving forward he stated his favorite things about his Sonora home was “the address, the Christmas lights were already hung and he had his own closet”. He enjoyed the opportunity to maintain and upkeep the property on the hill with his tractor, chainsaw, wood splitter and various tools at his disposal which he always had the “right tool for the job”. Charles is survived by his love Judy of 55 years and his two sons Randy (Kari) Gates and Rick (Janet) Gates; seven grandchildren, Jenafer (Robert) Hall, Ryan (Amber) Gates, Crystal Lilly, Jackie Burrows, Jennifer (Turhan) Lee, Cindy Burrows, and Andrew Burrows; six great grandchildren; Rylie Gates, Samantha Burrows, Cayla Burrows, Max Pyeatt, Chanel Lee, and Cara Burrows; Siblings, Harry (Alma) Gates and Peggy (John) Hughs, with special love for his nieces , nephews and extended family. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Marguretta Gates, inlaws, Arvid and Gladys Carlson, sisters in law, Ellen Carlson, Ina Foresman, and baby Jean Carlson, a nephew, Rodney Foresman and dear family friend Maxine Schmidt. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home are handling the arrangements.
This post was last modified on 03/19/2018 9:39 am