dward Gatens was born on April 5, 1926 to William and Elizabeth (Hackett) Gatens in Detroit, Michigan. He passed away on January 28, 2017 at Lee Memorial Hospital.
Life
Ed’s life was shaped by his faith, courage, curiosity and craftsmanship. He dedicated his life to upholding and defending American democracy in the United States Army, beginning in 1950, and ending his long military career as Command Sergeant Major of the West Virginia Army National Guard in 2000. He was loved by everyone who knew him: as husband, father, brother, uncle, friend; as a journeyman plumber with West Virginia Heating and Plumbing, as member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Dunbar, and as a mentor to three generations of the men and women of the West Virginia Army National Guard.
Services
A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church. The mass is scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2017 at 9:00 am at the church. A private graveside service will be scheduled by the family with military honors provided by the United States Army.
Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
