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Neil Gatewood Obituary
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Neil served in Vietnam as a Naval fighter pilot before beginning his 30-year career as a pilot for Delta Airlines. Neil was a voracious reader, history buff and riveting story teller. He was a talented artist who also enjoyed woodworking, music, animals, tending to his garden, daily coffee klatches with friends and spending time with family.
Neil is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Chance Gatewood; he is survived by three daughters, Linda (Mike) Lapresi of Tucker, GA; Kim Gatewood of Lawrenceville, GA; Hope Spetnagel of Yukon, OK; stepdaughter Beverly (Scott) Friesz of Woodstock, GA; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Tiger Flight Foundation or have trees planted in his honor. For information on ways to give, visit support.woundedwarriorproject.org, tigerflightfoundation.org or arborday.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Noble Christensen
March 14, 2024
Neil and I went through flight training together in Pensacola back in the 1950's. We crossed paths many times during the training process at the various fields along the way. He became a special friend along the path to our wings. We resumed our friendship after both joining Delta after we both left the military. I remember spending several weekends with he and his wife at their lake home in the mountains. He was a special friend and a fellow Delta pilot. I will also respect him for his service in Vietnam. Rest in peace
Noble Christensen
March 14, 2024
Noble Christensen
Harry Ballance
March 6, 2024
I met Neil when he was in his first year at Delta. I was a copilot, and he was a flight engineer on a DC -6, probably 1966. Thus began a long friendship. He was a great traveling companion, and a true professional. Not to mention a gifted artist. I have two of his prints, a DC-8 and an L-1011, framed and hanging in our home. He left the world a better place than he found it. My condolences. Harry Ballance, Captain retired.
Jim Greene
March 4, 2024
A life well lived, Neil. I have one of his prints in my home, a Delta L-1011
he named "Night Coach" as I recall. We flew together om the Tri-Star when I was a Flight Engineer. Good memories! Farewell my friend.
Jim Greene, Captain, Retired
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Thad Quarles
March 4, 2024
Cleta and I send our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family during this time of profound sorrow. Neil was an outstanding aviator and artist; the Air Line Pilots Association would call upon him from time to time to do special paintings for retiring pilots or special Delta Management personnel.
Captain Rollin A. Jackson, Jr. Retired
March 3, 2024
I had the pleasure of knowing Neil and spending some layover time with him in conversation from time to time - great guy and fine aviation artist with so many other nice interests/hobbies. As secretary of Delta Golden Wings, Delta pilot retiree organization, I send utmost sympathy to his survivors on behalf of all our members, especially those who knew Neil and his professionalism as a Delta pilot. We will miss seeing many of his talents and will remember his military service dedication.
Jim Gardner
March 3, 2024
Neil and I both did two tours on the carrier USS Hancock back in the early 60s. Great guy and a fantastic artist. He will be missed
Ann D'Agostino
March 3, 2024
I enjoyed flying with Neil `back in the day´ and lobbed his artwork.
Ann Beaman D´Agostino
Staff of Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Inc.
March 2, 2024
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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