Gates, Matthew Jeptha

Matthew Jeptha Gates, 30, of Marion, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Becky High. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, at a later date.

Survivors include his mother, Debbie Gates of Marion; father, Kenneth “Joe” (Lori) Gates Jr. of Bossier City, La.; daughter, Eden Mae Gates of Marion; brother, Jeremy (Amanda) Gates of Germany; sister, Krissy Gates of Cedar Rapids; grandfather, Dale Gainor of Ohio; great-grandmother, Leone Tarry of Ohio; nieces, Trinity, Kylie and Gabby Gates; special friends, Trent, Josh and Nathan, among others; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

Matthew was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dolores Gainor and Kenneth J. and Barbara Gates Sr.

Born Feb. 11, 1983, at Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Ariz., Matthew was the son of Kenneth Gates Jr. and Debbie Gates. In his early years he lived in the Philippines, Colorado Springs and Phoenix, while his father served in the U.S. Air Force, before residing in Marion, Iowa.

He graduated in 2001 from Linn-Mar High School, where he was active in the show choir. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout award in 2001. He then attended the University of Iowa. Matthew worked for Papa John's for 10 years, the last several as a manager. He married Courtney Carlo in 2006. They later divorced. He was an avid video gamer and Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye fan.

What he'll be remembered most for is that he was very social. There was never a place he couldn't find a friend. He will be missed by many. His daughter, Eden, was the love of his life and they adored each other.

Memorials may be directed to a fund to be established in memory of Matthew.

Please sign the online guest book for Matthew at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Sept. 12, 2013 in The Gazette