Derrick Harold Gates Sr.

Derrick Harold Gates, Sr. affectionately known as Kojack a nickname given to him by his late grandfather John Floyd. The youngest of five children Derrick was born on November 7, 1972 to Carolyn Gates in Atlanta, Georgia. Derrick departed this life Monday evening March 8, 2021. Derrick accepted Christ at an early age . At his untimely departure from this life, Derrick was a beloved member of South Fulton Community Christian Church where he was actively involved in the Men’s Ministry and Boys 2 Men Ministry. Derrick was educated in the Atlanta Public School System. He attended A.D. Williams and Margert Mitchell Elementary Schools. It was at Sutton Middle School where he fell in love with the bass. He played every note so effortlessly and truly enjoyed classical music. Soon after he discovered the skateboard and a new passion was born. He was an avid skateboarder and was fondly known as “Skateboard”. When he was not in school you could find him skateboarding throughout the city. Derrick was a graduate of Westlake High School Class of 1991. He received further technical training becoming a certified Master Technician and Ford Specialist. Derrick realized a life-long dream of becoming a Business Owner purchasing his own tractor and trailer and forming “7 Gates Trucking”. Derrick married his high school sweetheart, Nicole Gates in 2012 (9 Years), and was a devoted provider and loving husband. He was also a proud dedicated father of 7 children: DJ, Robert, Cierra, Rashaad, Jacobi, Cameron, and Karson. Derrick adored his family and enjoyed spending time with his children, taking them camping, fishing, or just grilling for them. He was a huge Marvel fan and loved the Incredible Hulk. He also was an Atlanta Falcons fan to a fault. Derrick was a kid at heart and always lively entertaining and the life of the party. Derrick was the giver of nicknames to those he was fond of, if you stayed around for more than 60 seconds you got a nickname. He knew no stranger and always greeted with a hug or a handshake and never left without an I LOVE YOU! He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife Rachelle Nicole Gates aka Lovemuffin, his children Derrick Harold Gates Jr aka Peckerhead, Robert Kimble aka Cry Baby, Cierra Gates aka PP, Rashaad Gates aka Panky, Jacobi Cline-Gates aka He was an avid skateboarder and was fondly known as “Skateboard”He was an avid skateboarder and was fondly known as “Skateboard”Huggiebear, Cameron Jones aka I buy ugly houses, and his baby girl Karson Gates aka Happybox. His mother Carolyn Floyd Gibson (John), his siblings Stephanie Carney (Ed), Karen who preceded him in death, Kenith (Tiffany), Andrea Gates-Searcy (Charles), Robert (Anitra), Greg (Quinn), Sasha Chandler, Ernest Scott, Kenya Patterson (James), Karachi Harris (Sam), Kyril Gibson, Nikki Knox and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. As “Gods Plan for Derrick to return back to him his family was granted the strength and Love to Glorify Him. All “praises” to you “God” for a beautiful husband inside and out, a caring nurturing devoted father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and most of all a “Believer in God”. To God Be the Glory his perfect work has been done.