*******Thank you so much to the lovely and kind Pure Grace for sponsoring my beloved husband David's memorial. In your charity and kindness, please visit her memorials and loved ones, and thank you for visiting my sweet husband's memorials. Every flower and token left for David means the world to me and my son Jacob.

"So many people imagine that death cruelly separates us from our loved ones. Even pious people are led to believe this great and sad mistake. Death is not a separation. When our loved one dies, they do not leave us. They remain. They do not go to some distant place. They simply begin their eternity. Death has not destroyed them, nor carried them away. Rather it has given them life and the power to know and love us more fully than ever before. The

tears that dampen our eyes in times of mourning are tears of homesickness, tears of longing for our loved ones. But it is we who are far from home, not they. Death has been for them a doorway to eternal home. And only because this home is invisible to our worldly eyes, we cannot see them so near us, lovingly and tenderly waiting for the day when we, too, will enter the doorway. And then we will see them."

-Cardinal John Henry Newman

We entrust you to God Who created you. May you return to the One Who formed you

from the dust of this earth. May Mary, the angels, and all the saints

come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May Christ Who was crucified for you

bring you freedom and peace. May Christ, the Son of God, Who died for you

take you into His kingdom. May Christ, the Good Shepherd,

give you a place within His flock. May He forgive your sins

and keep you among His people. May you see your Redeemer face to face

and bask in the light of God forever.

Charles David Gates, 48, passed away at home on December 24, 2022 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was born on October 24th, 1974 to Charles L. Gates and Terry Ingold Gates in High Point, North Carolina. He was known to everyone as David. David graduated from Trinity High School where he enjoyed debate and played varsity football for all four years. He followed his love of football to both Lees–McRae College as well as Western Carolina University where he was a member of both football teams. Unable to continue to play football due to a series of injuries, he completed his degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he met his wife Amber Gates nee Smith. After graduation David worked in the metal finishing industry for several years before moving to the field of Corrections. He genuinely loved people and always sought to help others. In his spare time he enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his beloved family. He enjoyed fishing and travel. A member of the Knights of Columbus, David was a lifelong dog lover, he loved to work with his German shepherds.

Aside from being survived by his loving wife, Amber and beloved son Jacob Gates he is also survived by Jacob's intended Hayden Fossett whom he loved like a daughter. Additionally, David is survived by his Mother Terry Gates, he also leaves behind brothers Darrell Gates and Patrick Davis as well as nieces Kaitlyn Gates and Jordan Davis and nephews Adam Davis and Trevor Gates. David also leaves behind Aunts, Uncles, and many cousins.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday January 6th at 10 am at St Pius X Catholic Church in Greensboro. Followed by inurnment at Floral Garden Park Cemetery at noon. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to the General Parish Endowment Fund at Saint Pius X Catholic Church of Greensboro. David gave joy to everyone he knew and loved and now he is the recipient of everlasting joy in the arms of his loving creator and merciful Savior.