Steve Ates

Steve Ates got a call on Friday May 7, 2021 to go on a hunting & fishing trip he could not refuse. Steve knew he would not return to his Johns Road home but instead he would find his biggest reward. Steve would be reunited with his son Robbie, brother Ricky, & other family & friends. Steve also knew on this trip he would get to hunt some of the biggest turkey, deer, moose, and elk ever & catch fish he had only dreamed about. His mother Dot would also be there to serve up a big bowl of her special gumbo & fried turkey breast. He would have tree stands to build, food plots to plant, & granddaughters to watch over from his new high vantage point, Steve was 64 years old. He was born in Crestview, FL on October 26, 1956 to Bob & Dot Ates and graduated from Baker High School in 1974. Steve received his bachelor’s degree from UWF. For many years Steve worked as an electrician, he loved to hunt and fish, but most of all he loved to spend time with his family and his friends. Steve is preceded in death by his son Robbie Ates, Mother Dot Ates, and his brother Ricky Ates.

 Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years Cathy Ates; son, Matt Ates and his wife Bobbie Jo; father, Bob Ates; granddaughters: Chloe, Allie Mae, and Caroline Ates; brothers and sisters in law: William and Mary Louise Aultman; Cindy and Malcom Bracewell, and Margaret Aultman; nieces and nephews: Candace McLeod and husband Nick, Christa Richards and husband Greg, Gabby Griffith and husband Ben, Rick Littlefield, Amanda Ates, and DeAnna Ates, along with many many lifetime friends.

 The celebration of Steve’s life will be on Friday May 14, 2021 at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home at 3:00 p.m. with Reverend Curt Rainey officiating. Burial will follow in the New Holt Cemetery. A time of visitation with the family will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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