Charles Kennith Ates

Funeral services for Mr. Charles Kennith Ates will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Alpine First Baptist Church, Tioga, with Reverends Charles Hutzler and John Willie officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.
Charles Kennith Ates was born April 24, 1947, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Patsy Elena Peddy and George Wallace Ates. He was 77 years, 10 months, and 2 days old when he finished life's journey on February 24, 2025.
He was a big brother to Linda Dianne Hansen, Betty Jane Burns (Robert), Robert "Bobby" Dewayne Ates (Carolyn), and Ronald Dale Ates.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia Ates; one daughter, Sheri Shields (Mike); one son, Michael Ates (Sara); eight grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Patsy Ates; one brother, Ronald Ates; and one son, David Ates.
Charles graduated from Bolton High School where he was on the football team. He was named Lineman of the week and featured in the Alexandria Town Talk. Growing up he had several work experiences. As a young boy, he sold fresh farm eggs up and down local streets carried in a bucket, he worked in a bakery, and even washed buses at the bus station in Alexandria. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed camping. He also loved bowling, having once bowled a perfect game, which was 300 points, all strikes all the way.
After high school, the Army called where he served in Vietnam from 1968-1969. He continued to follow a military career and after Vietnam, he was stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. There he met and married Cynthia Marie Miller, and after a four-month courtship and extensive counseling from the base chaplain, all fears of a lasting marriage were resolved. They married on July 10, 1971, in the Chapel at Fort Richardson. Being married nearly fifty-four years this coming July, the Chaplain can stand before God in the assurance that this couple honored their sacred vow of marriage.
Charles extended his Alaskan tour of duty so Cindy could finish college. They drove along the Alaskan Highway, completely unpaved then, with a dog and cat all the way to Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. After nine years of active duty, a new son born at Fort Hood, and a possible looming overseas duty for a year without dependents, Charles left the Army and found mechanical work in Austin, Texas. He readily joined the National Guard, while Cindy worked at Seton Medical Center as an RN.
After four years in Austin, and many weekend trips to Louisiana, Charles longed to be near his family. In 1979, the move was made where Charles worked as a mechanic, but remained active in the National Guard, and later a full-time guard at Camp Beauregard. He was activated to participate in Desert Shield & Desert Storm. After achieving military retirement, he stayed in the state militia for the State of Louisiana. Charles formed lasting friendships with his band of chosen brothers, with some being formed in Vietnam.
He was a member of Hemphill Star Church and later moved and joined Alpine First Baptist Church. He was kind, caring, and loved his family and friends. He had a giving heart and supported Veteran's groups, St. Jude's, the State Police, and Shriner's Hospitals. Charles was steadfast in his faith; he read his Bible daily and relied on God's redeeming grace and mercy in his last battle.
We can be comforted in the promise of our Savior Jesus Christ, "that whosoever believeth in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life," and if we believe and accept Christ as our Savior, we too will have eternal life and see our loved ones again. So, it is not goodbye, it's I'll see you later.
Friends may post online messages of condolences for the Ates family by visiting www.rushfh.com