Eugene Gates Sr., 56, of 1239 Blythewood Lane, Suffolk, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, in Obici Hospital. He was preceded in death by his father, Roland Gates Sr. a brother, Roland Gates Jr., and a sister, Sylvia Gates.

He was formerly employed by the City of Suffolk as a fireman,

and was later employed by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company as a rigger.

He was a member of New Paul’s Temple Holiness Church, where he served as a deacon, chairman of the Trustee Board, honorary usher, and the transportation department. He was a former member of the Senior Choir, Sunday School, Men’s Chorus, and chairman of the Men’s Fellowship.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Janie S. Gates; three sons, 1Lt. Eugene Gates Jr. (wife Renee) of Ft. Bragg, N.C.; Terry D. Gates of Alexandria; and Antwaioine Bell; five daughters, Sgt. Katrina D. Johnson (husband Eugene) of Ft. Meade, Md.; Charna T. Palmer (husband Michael) of Manassas; Nikita R. Gates-Tshuma (husband Michael) of Suffolk; SPC Crystal D. Lovelist of Ft. Stewart, Ga.; and SPC Tiffany T. Gates of Ft. Lee; his mother, Mrs. Endie Gates of Suffolk; five brothers, James Brown, Nathaniel Gates (wife Velma) and Tony Gates (wife Jeanette), all of Suffolk; Charles Gates of Franklin; and Reginald Gates (wife Mary) of Fayetteville, N.C.; three sisters, Debbie Gates, Darlene Gates and Connie Holliman (husband Robert), all of Suffolk; two foster brothers, James Brinkley and Williams Madison of Suffolk; two foster sisters, Joann Reid and Sarah Johnson of Suffolk; eight grandchildren, Ke’Una, Kayla, Terrell, KiAsia, Jada, Jenelle, Chelsey, and Mye’Quan; five godchildren, LaTasha, Towana, NaKisha, Aldriena, Bridget, and LaRhonda; six brothers-in-law, George Simmons, Leopolda Simmons, Randolph Simmons, Thomas Simmons, Linwood Simmons, and Deacon Alvester Simmons; three sisters-in-law, Deloris Slaughter, Alfeta Parker and Trina Gates; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, in New Paul’s Temple Holiness Church by Pastor Catherine Skinner. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery.

A wake will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in New Paul’s Temple Holiness Church.

Crocker Funeral Home Inc. is handling arrangements.