Melvin Edward “Butch” Gates, 69, of Stephens City, Virginia passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 6^th, 2013 at his home.

Butch was born on December 31, 1943 in Salisbury, Maryland the son of the late John Cornelius and Pearl Georganna Daniels Gates.

He married Eva Estepa Gates on April 29, 1967 in Washington, D.C.

Butch was a 1962 graduate of Surrattsville High School.   He served in the United States Navy. He attended the Computer Technical School in Washington, DC.  He worked as a Computer Specialist with NASA Goddard Space Center at Greenbelt, MD. He also worked at Western Union in Middletown, VA, and retired from AT&T and worked at FEMA as a Deployment Specialist.

Butch was a loving husband, dad, and grandfather.  He enjoyed camping and traveling with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  He loved to watch western movies, and was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins. Over the years, Butch had collected lots of model trains.  He was a member of the American Legion.

Surviving with his wife are three children, Anthony Edward Gates and wife Angela of San Antonio, Texas, Linda Gates Fletcher and husband Marty of Middletown, Virginia, Wanda Gates Diehl and husband Todd of Stephens City, Virginia; six grandchildren, Michelle and Jonathan Gates, William and Emerson Fletcher, Hannah and Cameron Diehl; a sister Ruth Rebecca Gates Glasser and husband Thomas from Ballston Lake, New York a brother James Lloyd Gates and wife Joan of Apopka, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Elizabeth Gates Simpkins, and brothers John Cornelius Gates, Jr., Raymond Cornelius Gates, Patrick Horace Gates, and John Cornelius Gates III.

He was an active member of FirstBaptistChurch in Winchester, Virginia since 1971.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, from 6:00-8:00 PM, at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, at First Baptist Church, Winchester, Virginia, with Pastor George Fletcher officiating.  Entombment will be held in Shenandoah Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you may choose to make a contribution in his name to First Baptist Church, 205 West Piccadilly Street, Winchester, VA 22601.