Online Source: http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/winn/obits/g/hgates74.txt

Extracted from The Winn Parish Enterprise News-American (Winnfield, LA)
Wednesday, March 27, 1974

Houston Gates Dies; Rites Wednesday

Houston H. Gates, 74, died Tuesday, March 26, 1974 at 9:20 a.m. in a local hospital following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Southern Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Calvin Phelps officiating.

Burial was in the Winnfield City Cemetery.

He was a native of Bienville Parish, a member and deacon of First Baptist church where he served as choir director for 35 years. He was owner and operator of Houston Gates' Men Store for 35 years which is now known as Plunkett's Store for Men.

Mr. Gates was vice president and director of First Federal Savings and Loan Association and was made director emeritus at the time of his retirement.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Zelma Mills Gates of Winnfield; one daughter, Mrs. Lawrence J. Donahoe, Jr. of Lafayette; two grandsons, Tim and Mike Donahoe of Lafayette; one brother, Reggie Gates of Winnfield; one half brother, C. B. Gates, Shreveport, three sisters, Mrs. Marie Green, Tucson, Ariz., Mrs. E. L. Taylor, Beaumont, Tex., and Mrs. Horace Pepper, Baton Rouge, La.

Pallbearers included Junior Erskins, R. D. Bevill, S. L. Garrett, Cas Moss, Sr., G. P. Long, Harper Terrill, Tommy Straughn, and Billy Plunkett.