Mr. Robert Lee Gates Jr.

February 17, 1945 - October 20, 2019

Mr. Robert Lee Gates, Jr., age 74, passed away Sunday, October 20, 2019 in Pensacola, Florida. Mr. Gates was a native of Robinsonville, AL, former resident of Atmore, AL and had resided in Walnut Hill, FL for the past 40 years. Captain Gates was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict where he was wounded and received two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star, he was a Tug Boat Captain for 50 years where he was accident free for the those 50 years and was a member and former deacon at the Antioch Freewill Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Alice Ruth Gates; parents; Robert Sr. and Vonnie Gates; three brothers, Charles Gates, Floyd Gates and Glennard "Buddy" Gates; baby sister, Ruth Augustine Gates; son, Martin Russell Lassiter and special friend, Wayne Burkette. He is survived by his two daughters, Linda Lassiter-Hamilton of Panama City Beach, FL and Rebel Gates Howard of McDavid, FL; one brother, Bobby Ray Gates of Freemanville, AL; two sisters, Bonnie Williams of Atmore, AL and Wilerneese Cole of Atmore, AL; seven grandchildren, Russell, Tosha, Tabitha, Lauren, Hannah, Haden and Martina and fourteen great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Minister Brad Sullivan officiating. Burial will follow at the Antioch Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, October 25, 2019 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Salvador B. Perez, Johnny Robb, Richard Burkette, Mark Burkette, Joe Clay Howard and Floyd Geary Gates. Honorary Pallbearer will be Coach Burkette and Chadwick Cook. Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama.