RL Gates, age 84, of Warren, Arkansas, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026, in Warren. He was born April 9, 1941, in Bradley County, Arkansas, to the late Quinnie Gates and Zola Bea Grider Gates.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alvanette Johnston Gates, whom he married on December 28, 1962; his sons, Bobby and Buddy Taylor; his brothers, Oran “Duce,” Elbert, Carl, and Doyle Gates; and his sister, Ardie Bea Gates Green.
RL was a 1959 graduate of Hermitage High School and later attended Drones Business College in Little Rock, where he studied banking and bookkeeping, skills that would serve him well throughout his life. He built a long and respected career as a millwright and foreman; work he was deeply proud of. In 1963, he joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 497 (later Local 216). He was committed to his trade and his fellow workers. Over the years, he served faithfully as business representative, financial secretary-treasurer, recording secretary, vice president, and trustee for Local 216. He received his 60-year pin with great pride. Even after retirement, RL continued to invest in the next generation by teaching apprenticeship classes and sharing the knowledge he had gained through decades of hard work.
RL believed in the value of an honest day’s work and carried that belief into everything he did. Beyond his career, he was a tomato farmer, commercial fisherman, and trapper. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He also served as a volunteer with Bradley County Search and Rescue.
Those who knew RL will remember not only his strong work ethic but also his quick wit. He was always ready with a joke or a playful remark. He always made sure to stay in touch with classmates, friends, and his extended family. His humor, steady presence, and pride in providing for his family leave a legacy that will not be forgotten.
He is survived by his daughter, Regina Gates Gorman and her husband, David, of Monticello, Arkansas; his son, Ronald Keith Gates of Warren, Arkansas; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his special friend, Linda McDaniel of Warren, Arkansas.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, at Frazer’s Funeral Home in Warren. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. and conclude prior to the service. Burial will follow at Gravelridge Cemetery.
