Marion H. Gates, Jr.

Marion H. Gates, Jr., 75, was born December 14, 1946 in Bennettsville, SC and passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. He was the son of Josephine Hopkins and Marion H. Gates, Sr. He was the loving husband of Jonna Gates for 55 years.

Marion was raised in Cheraw, SC and lived in Cayce, SC at the time of his death. Some may remember him as Butch, Green Hornet, Sgt. Smooth, or the Old Goat but to his family he was known as husband, father, brother, uncle, and Papa. Mr. Gates proudly served full-time in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Cheraw High School in 1965. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the U.S. Air Force Reserves where he served as a medic and participated in many missions including Desert Storm. Mr. Gates also proudly served the mission of UPS as a manager where he was garnished with the nickname Sgt. Smooth and the Old Goat. Marion was without a doubt the “greatest of all time”. Upon retirement from UPS, you could find Marion watching the Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees, going to his grandchildren’s activities or watching criminal mind shows.

He is survived by his wife, Jonna Gates; sons, M. Hugh Gates (Teresa Gates) of Lexington, SC, J. Bryan Gates (Patricia Gates) of Lexington, SC; grandchildren, Hubie, Abigail, Ava, Bronson, Brantley, and Madilyn; sister, Jane Pelfrey; niece, Rebecca Hornback (Pelfrey) and great niece, Willow.

He was predeceased by his father, Marion H. Gates, Sr.; stepfather, Douglas T. Coates and mother, Josephine Hopkins Gates-Coates.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorials can be made in honor of Marion Gates to the Cayce Public Safety Foundation through www.caycepsf.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmansouthland.com for the Gates family.