Clifford Ted Gates

Clifford Ted Gates, age 80, of Warren, AR, died Friday, November 23, 2018, at Chapel Woods Health & Rehabilitation. He was born October 25, 1938, in Malvern, AR, a son of the late Willie E. Gates and Cora Smith Gates. Cliff was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving in Vietnam. He was on Johnston Island in 1958, and observed the testing of two nuclear bombs and was also an air traffic controller. Aviation continued playing a big part in his life, he was a former FAA examiner, flight instructor, member of the Civil Air Patrol, and a retired corporate pilot for Potlatch Corporation. He also was the owner and operator of Cliff’s Fried Chicken in Warren for four years, had a Honda motorcycle dealership in Warren for six years and was a 32nd degree Mason. In his spare time, he loved camping, fishing and archery. Also, preceding Cliff in death was his mother Georgia Gates and a brother J.W. Gates. Survivors are his wife Elizabeth Savage Gates whom he married January 18, 1958. One son Glenn Gates (Chrystola), of Moro Bay, AR. One daughter Teresa Hargis and spouse Kim of Wilmar, AR. Three brothers Charles Gates of Virginia Beach, VA, Jerry Gates of Warren, AR, and Terry Gates of Virginia Beach, VA. Two sisters Willie Mae Wheeler and Linda Stucks Taylor both of Warren, AR. Six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His special canine companion Andee. Funeral service was 1:30 p.m. Sunday, November 25, at Frazer’s Chapel with Rev. Wayman Mann officiating. Burial with flag presentation was in Adams Singer Cemetery by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Active pallbearers were Melvin Mills, Chase Cox, Dale Wheeler, Jerry Gates, Tom Wooten, and Randy Wiggins. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Wiggins, Barney Sims, Greg Doster, Danny Taylor, and Steve Rand.