GATEWOOD — Donnie Larron Gatewood was born Oct. 9, 1959, to the late Elizabeth and Charles Gatewood at Mary Chiles Hospital in Mount Sterling, Ky. He departed this earthly life Sept. 10, 2022, with his daughters by his side.
Donnie accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at a young age and was baptized at High Street Christian Church in Mount Sterling, Ky., by the late Rev. George Frazier. He and his brothers, Gilbert and Earl, made the decision they would do this on the same Sunday.
He attended and graduated from Montgomery County High School. He attended the University of Kentucky and always liked to remind us that he had a walk-on role with the basketball team (Yeah Bru). Then Petty Officer Donnie Gatewood told his mother he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 28, 1982. From seaman to petty officer in two years, he reported to the Naval School of Dental Assisting and Technology in San Diego, with assignments in Pensacola, Adak, Kings Bay, Washington, D.C. – It is in print to have been said, “Petty Officer Gatewood had the experience, training and knowledge of a more seasoned professional within his rating.” He loved his tours (travel specifically) in the Navy, taking him to Scotland, Italy, Greece, United Arab Emirates and Israel, and to add to his
the following medals: Good Conduct Medal (5), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal and the list goes on. After 20 years of service, Petty Officer Gatewood retired from Kings Bay Branch Dental Clinic on Dec. 20, 2002.
On Dec. 19, 1997, he joined the Masons, an organization that he took great honor in being a member. He became a past master in 2008; he belonged to Zion Lodge #7, PHA, was part of John Wesley Dobbs Consistory, 302, was a member at the Amman Temple #82, and a member of the Order of the Easter Star Camden County Chapter 191
Donnie (“Gate” as he liked to be known) bled blue as a diehard Kentucky Wildcat fan. As life came at him, he would always say, “You have to do what you have to do, or we have to do what we have to do.”
Donnie is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Elizabeth and Roy Groves, and brothers, James “Watson” Gatewood, Michael Gatewood, Earl Gatewood and Bruce Gatewood.
He leaves to treasure his memory Nicolas Gatewood (Sabrina), Leah Gatewood, Brandon Gatewood (Marie), Brittney Gatewood (Tim), Cameron White (Stephanie), Casey White, Jarryka Thompson (Keri); 12 grandchildren who he dearly loved; one brother, Dwight Gatewood; two sisters, Brenda Simpson and Michelle Groves; ever-loving aunt, Dilla Walker; great-aunt, Meecy Simpson; great-uncle Joe Louis Jones; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friend always, JB.
We love you and already miss you.
Low Country Cremation and Burial is serving the Gatewood family.