Mr. Rufus Gates Jr.

GATES, Mr. Rufus Jr. - Age 60, passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 1:30 PM Friday, August 17, 2018 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 2:00 PM Pastor Latrelle Holmes officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 1:30 PM Friday. Mr. Gates will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday. Mr. Rufus Rodney “Hollywood” Gates Jr. was born November 13, 1957 in Flint, Michigan, the son of Rufus Sr. and Sylvia Gates. He was affectionately called by his middle name Rodney because of being named after his Father. Rodney attended Flint Public Schools and graduated from Flint Northwestern High School, “Class of 1975.” He was employed at Detroit Street Senior Citizens Center as a Van Driver right after high school. At that time he adopted the name “Hollywood”, a name that will remain with him in memories we will all cherish forever. Mr. Gates went on to work at various jobs including General Motors. He accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and fellowshipped with numerous churches upon returning to Flint. Rodney enjoyed cars, bowling, singing and spending time with family. He loved his daughters, but his grandchildren were the joy in his life. Rodney was proud to have the name “PawPaw” and enjoyed hearing the grands call him. He also loved working on cars and keeping his vehicle super clean. In his life he had owned numerous Cadillacs and at one time he owned two at the same time. He would tell everyone he was “Two Caddy Daddy the Brown Eyed Cutie Pie.” Rodney was a comedian and all he met had a friend.” Mr. Gates found true love and married Judy (Davis) Gates. Their union lasted 20 plus years until God called Judy home in 2014. Mr. Rufus Rodney “Hollywood” Gates Jr. leaves in God’s care: 2 devoted daughters, Joi Gates and Rachele Gates-Blair, both of Flint; 2 loving step-daughters, Stephanie (Deshon) Dixon and Tamala (Antonio) Johnson, all of Jackson, MS; 9 adoring grandchildren, Ashanni Dukes, DaShari Bedenfield, Sequoyia Jones, Alexander Givens II, all of Flint, Antwan Dixon, Zenais, Antonio Jr., Olivia and Bryce Johnson, all of Jackson, MS; 3 sisters, Dr. Ernestine Riggs of Chicago, IL, Germaine (Gilbert) Davis of Warrior, AL and Linda (Claude) Williams of Grand Blanc, MI; 1 sister-in-law; 4 brothers-in-law; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, a host of cousins including special cousins, Paula Burton, Carlos Elbert and David Michael Lattimore; a host of friends including lifelong friends, Jessie Mays, Kenneth Bratcher and Maurice Dyson. Mr. Rufus Rodney Gates Jr. was welcomed in heaven by his wife, Judy; step-son, Alexander Givens Sr.; and parents, Rufus Sr. and Sylvia Gates.

Mr. Rufus Gates Jr.

November 13, 1957 - August 8, 2018