Doug Gatewood

DOUG GATEWOOD

Cedar Rapids

Doug Gatewood, 72, of Cedar Rapids, left this crazy world on Dec. 17, 2021. COVID is listed as the cause of death, however, I'm not letting him go out like that. I believe he was given the choice to exit peacefully or endure another year with the current president. So he chose to exit peacefully. It was his time and I'm sure he earned a place in the Kingdom of Heaven.

During the two months prior to his departure from his crazy journey on Earth, he became a different person. He welcomed Jesus into his life and found some peace. He made us proud. He was in the "waiting room" and now he is "home." His sister Deb was likely waiting for him just to say "frig you Doug" before they hugged it out. And I can't even imagine the reunion between him and his best friends Dwayne, Ronnie and John. I wonder who they're gonna visit and mess with first.

Doug (my dad) was truly the strongest man many of us have ever known. His smile and little up-to-something chuckle will likely never leave our memories. It was a great sound as it always came with a crazy story. I learned so much from this man. My first four-letter word. You know the one. And also to be strong, independent and always have my loved ones' backs.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Gary, Bobby, Greg and Debbie; his mother, Dorothy Jenkins; father, Bob Gatewood; and another father figure, "Pops."

His surviving siblings include Brenda, Robin, Kathy, Trudy, Tiny, Jim, Donnie, David, Cindy, Angie, Laurie and Cassie.

His children, Keri, Casey and Corey Gatewood, are left with broken hearts and lots of love for when we see him again. Our childhood was anything but boring. The memories we have will never leave us.

The three of us each have two children of our own who will miss Grandpa Doug, as will his girlfriend of so many years, Kathy Reilly, and their two boys, Patrick and Francis Reilly, and twins just recently born to Patrick.

We all love and miss you. If there are cars up there I'm sure you're already taking them apart to rebuild them. We'll take one for a spin someday. Also, find the best piece of wood and make us something cool. Hang on to it. As I write this it's currently snowing. Oh, the snowmobile stories we will tell about you. And pulling people out of ditches with you was a blast.

Gone but never forgotten. The man, the myth, the legend… Doug Gatewood.

I hope I did ya proud. Dad.

Love ya always, Sissy

Celebration of Life will be held at a later date still TBD.