Charles Douglas Gates

Charles Douglas Gates, 89, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, in Portage, Michigan. Charles was known as Charlie and Chuck to those who knew him.

Charlie was born on August 30, 1936, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was the youngest of four children born to Stanton and Dexie (Johnson) Gates.

Charlie attended Portage High School until he joined the Air Force in his final year of school. He attended the US Air Force Tech School and completed training in Aircraft Electronics in November 1954. He completed his GED test in March 1956, while at Webb Air Force Base in Texas. He worked on the flight lines at the air force base on planes such as the B-52 bombers. Charlie was classified as an Aircraft Electrical Repairman. He was in the 3560th Field Maintenance Squadron.

Charlie was a hard worker as evidenced by a November 1956 letter from his Crew Chief recommending him for Maintenance Man of the Month. The letter read as follows:

“Charles D. Gates, assigned to the Electric Shop, and presently on loan to the 75th Bomb Squadron, has shown and proven himself to be an outstanding electrician and B-52 ground crew member, and as his supervisor, I would like to recommend him as Maintenance Man of the Month.”

Charlie served in the Air Force from January 1954 to October 1957, at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, and Loring Air Force Base in Maine.

After leaving the Air Force, Charlie began his career as an electrician at the Upjohn company. He started working there on the Light Bulb Crew and gradually worked his way up to Journeyman Electrician, which required four years of working with other licensed electricians. He also used his skills to work evenings part-time repairing TVs.

Charlie’s work excellence demonstrated in the military was also evident while at Upjohns. In 1988, he received the ‘W. E. Upjohn Award’.

In 1992, Charles, along with his wife Gail, retired from the Upjohn Company at the age of 56 years old, and were then able to pursue their love for travel. For many years, they headed to Ft Myers, Florida, during the winter months. Soon after retiring, they embarked on an eight-week, 11,000 mile journey traveling to Alaska with their fifth-wheel RV.

Charles was also an avid bowler. He bowled in a league for many years, achieving awards for high scores or high series. At the age of 68, Charles bowled a perfect 300 game.

Charles was also an avid fisherman. His yearly trips camping ‘Up North’ were planned for the start of Walleye season in mid-May, or the start of Bass season. For many summers, the family would camp for a month at Portage Lake. Chuck would go to work from there while the kids were able to swim, fish, and explore. The family also went on a memorable trip for the kids, taking them to California and back in 1968.

Charlie married his wife, Gail, on March 29th, 1955. Their daughter, Vicki, was born in Big Springs, Texas, while he was stationed at Webb Air Force Base. Their son, Steve, and daughter, Carol, were both born in Vicksburg, Michigan. They moved to a house a mile east of Vicksburg to raise their family. Every year a large garden was planted and the produce was canned.

Charlie used his skills to make several improvements to the house over the years. It was at the end of a dead-end street in a small neighborhood which was a great place for the kids to grow up. In about 1976, the family moved a mile west into their current home. 50 years in the same location, 30+ years at the same company, and 71 years of marriage is the kind of stability this family had.

Charlie was a devoted husband, friend, and father, and went out of his way to help others. He enjoyed listening to music, watching the Detroit Lions football games, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also fond of watching old Western TV shows and movies.

Charlie was an excellent ping pong player from his years of playing on lunch hour at work. He had the ability to hit a forehand spin shot from under the edge of the table. This shot was nearly impossible to return. He also enjoyed playing golf.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Gail (Bresson); his son, Steven and his wife Barbara Gates; his grandchildren, Eric and his wife Jodi Thompson, Brianna Gates; his great grandchildren, Ava and Grant Thompson; and his brother, Kenneth Gates. He was preceded in death by his two daughters, Carol Gates and Vicki (Gates) Thompson; and his siblings, Richard Gates and Dexie Lou (Ward).

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Visit with family and friends on Friday, August 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the same location.

While visiting Charlie’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by the Avink, McCowen and Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 S. Main Street Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269-649-1697).