Rev. Charles H Gates

Rev. Charles H. Gates, age 99, of Lincoln, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022. Charles was born April 21, 1923 to Charles and Lucile Gates in Omaha, Nebraska. Charles grew up and attended school in Tekamah, Nebraska. His family taught him from the very beginning the importance of time together with the ones you love.

During high school Charles enjoyed playing music and thought for a time of being a music teacher – but didn’t want the long hours of practice. He admired his older brother, John, who was serving in the Navy as a radio operator. Charles was very involved in the church, but didn’t think at the time that it would lead to a life in the ministry.

After graduating high school Charles worked at a grocery store and attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. In 1943 he was drafted into the military and chose the Navy to follow in his brother’s footsteps and use his education in electronics to be a radio operator. He served for six years.

In 1946, while stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, Charles met and married the love of his life, Norma Berubee. At the end of his enlistment in 1949, they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska for Charles to attend school at Wesleyan University. Then they moved to Boston, Massachusetts for Charles to attend Boston University where he earned a degree in Theology. Upon graduation they moved back to Nebraska where Charles joined the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church to serve pastorates until 1988. Charles always had Norma by his side serving in the ministry as a dedicated teacher in the Sunday School, youth groups, and United Methodist Women.

In 1954, Charles and Norma adopted their daughter, Susan (Leora). She filled their lives with joy as they moved between pastorates in several Nebraska towns. At the end of his last pastorate in Friend, NE and Dorchester, NE, Charles retired in 1988. Charles and Norma moved to Lincoln to be closer to their daughter’s family which now included four grandchildren. Charles was a loving and fun grandpa and great-grandpa. He was always joining in playtime whether it was crawling on the floor or hoisting a child up onto his shoulders to run around the house. Even into his 90’s he was getting onto the floor to play with his great-grandchildren. He had a big heart and always shared it to the fullest. He will be remembered always for his sweet smile and tenderness to everyone around him.

Charles is survived by his son-in-law Matthew Platte; his loving grandchildren and spouses, Lovena & Ryan Glantz, Harley & Kate McCain, Rose & Aaron Snocker, Lily & Damon Hershey; his great-grandchildren, Weston Hershey, Adalyn Hershey, Daisy Snocker, Eldon Snocker, Margaret Hershey, Ada McCain, Calvin Snocker, Joseph Snocker; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his spouse Norma Gates; daughter Leora Platte; great-grandchild Harry Snocker; brothers John and Harold Gates; and sister Mary Moore.