Gene Gatewood

SYLVIA - Francis Eugene "Gene" Gatewood, 80, died Sunday, May 17, 2010 in Tulsa Oklahoma.
Born Feb. 27, 1930 in Pershing Oklahoma he was the son of Reginald Eugene and Lela Opal Wilker Gatewood. He graduated as vice-president of his class at Sylvia High School in 1948. In 1947, Gene was a member of the championship basketball team and enjoyed other activities as well. He served in the Army from 1951-1954. On July 4, 1951 he married Marilee Book in Pawhuska, OK. He lived in Sylvia until 1959 and then moved to Norman, Oklahoma where he worked for Coca-Cola until 1968. They then returned to Sylvia where they owned and operated Gatewood Grocery for several years. After selling the grocery store, Gene worked at the CO-OP and other various jobs around town. Gene was a member of the Masonic Lodge as well as Eastern Star with Marilee. They attended the Sylvia United Methodist Church. They enjoyed fellowship and playing cards with others in Sylvia.
Marilee died September 28, 2005.
Gene is survived by – one sister, Betty Timmons of Catoosa, OK, three children; Debra Kay Stacy of Virginia Beach, VA, Michael Eugene Gatewood of Duluth, GA and Jeri Lynette Prickett of Mannford, OK. Six grandchildren – Jeremy Clingenpeel, Kristyn Clingenpeel, Jaselyn Stacey, Jenna Stacey, Morgan Gatewood and Nicholas Gatewood. Four great grandchildren, John Thomas Blackwell IV, Brynlee Raye Clingenpeel, Elias Conner Gonzalez and Brenner J. Clingenpeel.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Minnis Chapel, Stafford with Rev. Harry Graves presiding. Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Friday with the family receiving friends 7-8 p.m. at the chapel. Burial will be at Sylvia Cemetery.