Samuel "Sam" L. Gates

He was the best son, father, grandfather and brother in the world. He was a retired Firefighter and Paramedic. He was a Cigar Aficionado and was well known for his cigars. He had a green thumb and enjoyed all his plants. He loved arrowheads and geodes. He enjoyed developing houses for rental properties and had a unique, creative flair. He loved telling his stories about being a firefighter and paramedic and telling jokes. He was also big into the JFK assassination conspiracy theory.

Sam is now with his son, Todd “Todde” Edward Gates, embracing in a long awaited hug.

He is survived by his son, Matthew Samuel Gates and his wife, Heather; daughters, Ashley Gates and Brittney Jackson; grandchildren, Kavun, Karley, Pantara, Todd, Tyler, Porsche, Gage and Gunner; parents; brothers, Daniel Gates, Dennis Gates and his wife, Shelley, and Tom Gates and his companion, Cathi Musicant; niece and nephews, Kristen, Jeffrey, Ryan, Jayden “J-Bird” Gates.

Services will be 3:00 PM Sunday, December 29, 2013, at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Coy Walters, with entombment later in Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Sunday from 12:00 PM until service time at the funeral home.