Mark Damian Gates

Mark Damian Gates, Sr., age 49, formerly of Long Beach, MS, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2014, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS following a brief illness.
Mark was born at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, MS, on August 23, 1965, and was a graduate of Long Beach Senior High School. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. He also served his local community as a decorated member of the Long Beach Police Department. He was a confirmed member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach, MS, where he proudly served as an altar boy in his youth.
Mark was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and working at the camp with his father, fishing, and riding his four wheeler. Mark's favorite nights were spent gathered around the campfire with his friends, family, and his dog Riley. He also loved NASCAR and the New Orleans Saints.
Mark was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Robert Lee Reed III and Lenora LaRosa Reed, his paternal grandparents Gaston Bernard Gates and Lola Mae Spurlin Gates, and his mother, Ida Bovee Reed Gates.
Mark is survived by his fiancé, Regina M. Taylor of Gadsden, AL, his father and step-mother Elvis Bernard Gates, Sr. and Susan Dufek Gates of Biloxi, MS; three brothers, Elvis Bernard Gates, Jr. (Melissa) of Long Beach, MS; Robert Vincent Gates (Sonya) of Columbia, MS, and Brian Patrick Gates (Kimberly) of Bay St. Louis, MS; two sons, Mark Damian Gates, Jr. and Mathew Gates; and daughter Britney Gates.
You may pay your final respects to Mark on Tuesday, December 23, at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach. Visitation is at 5:00pm with service to follow at 6:00pm.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com