George B. Gatewood, 82, of Douglasville, and Chattanooga, TN, passed away on Friday, Jan. 27, at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga from complications of Parkinson’s disease.  He was born in Hardeman County, TN, on Feb. 5, 1929, being one of eight children born to George and Rachel Gatewood.  

After serving in the 70th Combat Engineers Battalion during the Korean War, he moved his family to Georgia to work for Delta Air Lines as a radio operator, retiring in 1991 after 33 years.

He was an active member of Heritage Baptist Church and also served, along with his wife, as a foster parent in Douglas County for many years taking in more than 90 children during that time. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, gardening, working puzzles and watching the Atlanta Braves.

George was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Paul Gatewood, and his wife of 58 years, Stella Arwood Gatewood.

He is survived by his daughters, Jan (Bruce) Antman of Chattanooga, TN, and Cindy (David) Brown of Douglasville, GA; beloved grandchildren, Flynn Williford and Luke (Kendall) Williford of Chattanooga, TN, David (Kathryn) Antman of Decatur, GA, Chris Brown and Abbie Brown of Douglasville, GA; a foster daughter, Debbie (Terry) Hunton, and her children, Jeanie and Blake Hunton of Villa Rica, GA; brothers  Doris (Betty) Gatewood of Memphis, TN, and Joe (Helen) Gatewood of Middleton, TN; sisters Dorothy Capshaw of Oswego, IL, Mary Lou Capshaw of Middleton, TN, and Imogene Rogers of Memphis, TN; numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held in Chattanooga on Monday, Jan. 30. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 3 p.m. at Mozley Memorial Gardens in Lithia Springs.

In recognition of George and Stella’s years of service as foster parents, and to honor their memory, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Foster Care Support Foundation, 3334 Trails End Road, Roswell, GA 30075.