Dale Wayne Gates, 87 of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away March 6, 2020.

Born August 6, 1932 in Newton, Kansas, he was the son of the late Lloyd Lewey Gates and Frances Lorena Lewis Gates..

Mr. Gates was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a Mason. He enjoyed boating, singing country, folk & gospel songs, and watching western movies.

Dale was a career soldier, retiring after 26 years of service with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Though a lifelong tanker, he was Airborne qualified and served with armor battalions in the 11th Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division early in his career. Additionally, he served in aviation units in Fort Hood and Vietnam. In addition to his military service, Dale worked for Boeing Aircraft building B-52 bombers and at Glenn L. Martin  Company constructing missiles. After his military retirement, Dale owned Dino's Pizza Restaurant in Belle Glade, FL, finally taking up residence in the Florida Keys on a 46-foot trawler with his wife, Joy, after her retirement from the Palm Beach County School District.

In addition to his parents, Dale was preceded in death by five siblings, Cleo Homer Gates, Leatha Spearman, Ella Kite,  Nola Opal Head and Bertha Lacey.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Margaret Joy Clark Gates, daughters Vicki Bryant, and Sherri Johnson and husband Richard; son, Gaylin Gates and wife Gloria; four grandchildren, Shawna Pinson, Lilly Curley, Loren Magnuson and Nicholas Bryant; three great-grandchildren, Leigha, Caleb and Declan Pinson; and many other loving family and friends.

Memorial Services will be held Monday, March 16th, 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach, followed by interment in Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. with military honors.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County 6230 77th St, Vero Beach, FL 32967