Former professional boxer Richard "Richie" Kates, Sr., 69, known worldwide as an elite fighter in the golden era of light-heavyweights, completed his journey on earth and transitioned to the presence of the Lord early Saturday morning, March 11, 2023 while at home under hospice care. Gloria, his loving caregiver and devoted wife of 48 years, and his three sons Richard Jr., Ryan and Randall, remained at his side through the past 5 months as his health declined.

The Beginning

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Richard was born on May 21, 1953 in Savannah, Georgia, the sixth of John Courson Kates Sr. and Alice Lee (Jordan) Kates' 11 children. Richard's parents and siblings migrated to New Jersey when Richard was an infant and established their family home on Theorosa Road in Bridgeton. In his younger years, Richard labored alongside his mom and dad and siblings in the fields of South Jersey picking tomatoes, beans, okra and asparagus, and learning the value of hard work. Although not the eldest of the Kates tribe, Richard was a great role model for all of his siblings, showing his love and support as a mentor especially to his younger brothers and sisters as they were growing up. Richard was always there for his family, from childhood through adulthood. Richard attended Bridgeton Public Schools and graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1972. He and his wife, the former Gloria Hagan, were married on Oct, 26, 1974.

Boxing Career
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Some call it a fluke, others deem it divine intervention that began Richard's boxing career. After habitually skipping school that he admittedly was not a big fan of, a truant office suggested a new place for Richard to hide out – a boxing gym in Millville – and soon after a boxing legend was born. Although he lived in Bridgeton, Richard either hitchhiked or jogged to Millville to train every day. His record as an amateur was 57-7.
Determined to make it to the big stage, Richie lied about his age and turned pro when he was 16, winning a four-round decision victory in his first bout. He was vastly underrated and he did not lose his first match until his 18th fight when Eddie "Red Top" Owens stopped him in seven rounds at The Arena. He won his next 14, avenged the loss to Owens, beat Don Fullmer, Jose Gonzales, Jimmy Dupree, and went to South Africa where he outpointed Pierre Fourie.

Richie was back in South Africa on May 22, 1976 for a televised match-up that defined his career. The entire world was watching when Richie Kates was shafted in the infamous WBA title fight with Victor Galindez, who was so badly cut in the third round that the ref stopped the fight - for more than 15 minutes! WBA "officials" ruled it was from a head butt and insisted the fight continue, which it did until the 15th round when Galindez won by knockout. In a rematch in Rome, Galindez won on points.

Richie's 1978 fight with Matthew Saad Muhammad (Franklin) at The Spectrum was a thriller. Each man was down before Saad won by K0 in the sixth round. Kates continued and won 10 of his last 12 fights, beating Carlos Marks, Murray Sutherland, Mario Rosa and Jerry Celestine. In 1983, his final year, he fought twice, outpointing Jeff Lampkin and Jerry "The Bull" Martin in a fight that should have taken place years earlier. Richie retired in 1983 after a 14-year career with a 44-6 record including 23 knockouts.

Richie was 30-years-old when he ended his professional boxing career and was widely considered the best local fighter to never win a world title. Throughout his career, Richie was co-managed by Tony and Bonnie Coccaro of Millville, NJ, along with Joe Gramby of Philadelphia, PA, and trained by Letty Petway of Vineland, NJ.

Employment
Colossians 3:23-24 - "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Richard worked for Cumberland County and the State of New Jersey in numerous capacities for 35 years until his retirement in 2008. At the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, he worked as Recreation Supervisor. He also worked for the Department of Human Services as a Senior Therapy Program Assistant at Ancora State Hospital and the NJ Veterans Memorial Home. His positions at the Department of Corrections included Assistant Recreation Supervisor, Recreation Supervisor, and Hearing Officer. He retired from Southern State Correctional Facility as a Program Development Specialist in 2008. He was last employed at the Cumberland County Jail and by the Vineland Public School district as a substitute security officer.

Community
John 12:26 - If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Richard was a faithful and dedicated member of Union Baptist Temple, Bridgeton, NJ where he served on the Deacon Board and Manpower Male Chorus. Richard was a Vineland District 4 Ward Leader and a member of the Cumberland County Democratic Executive Committee. Richard volunteered his time as an active member of the Greater Vineland NAACP, Chapter #2115, for over 25 years. He also coordinated the Vineland Police Athletic League boxing program, volunteered as a coach/trainer, and was a member of the Bridgeton Hall of Fame All-Sports Committee and Cumberland County Recreation Committee. Richard was devoted and committed to community youth and believed that "because someone reached out to him, he should also give back to our youth."

Richard loved to have fun and enjoyed being around the youth, but was known as a coach/trainer from the "old school". Because of the serious nature of the sport of boxing, he believed very much in being disciplined. He also served on the Martin Luther King Academy Board of Directors, Vineland Police Athletic League Board of Directors, and appeared at schools and youth groups, helping instill self-determination and proving an inspiration to the local youth. He most recently trained at Next Level Boxing in Vineland. Richie was still walking, jogging and completing sit-ups until a few months ago.

Awards
I Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Throughout his lifetime, Richard Kates was bestowed with a plethora of honors, the most recent in 2018 Atlantic City Hall of Fame Inductee; 2017 Burt Street in Bridgeton was renamed Richie Kates Sr. Way. Richard was recognized as one of the Atlantic City Boxing Legends – 2012; Bridgeton African American Union Association of South Jersey Community Service Award Recipient – 2012; Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee – 2011; Champions in the Legendary Blue Horizon Museum – 2009; Vineland PAL Wall of Fame in 2008; inducted into Bridgeton High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame – 2007; NAACP – Greater Vineland Branch 2115 – 2005 Freedom Fund Banquet Recipient (Community);
AAU Coach of the Year – 2004; NJ Sports Hall of Fame Inductee – 1996; NJ Veteran's Home Employee Award – 1994; Bridgeton All Sports Hall of Fame Inductee – 1991; Light Heavyweight #1 Contender and fought for the Light Heavyweight World Championship – 1976, 1977, and won the North American Light Heavyweight Championship – 1973.

Family
3 John 1:4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife Gloria Hagan Kates; three sons, Richard Kates Jr. (Jessica) of Vineland, Ryan B. Kates (Chantelle) of Blackwood, and Randall K. Kates (Ciera) of Sicklerville; two daughters, Patricia Brown of Bear, Del. and Richeda Pratt of Philadelphia, Pa.; five siblings, Linda Kates Rahming, Pearl Jones, Raymond Kates, Charlie Kates and Marilyn Kates Hudgon; seven grandchildren, Sianni, Azmir, Ryan, Simone, Shawn, Ajee and Stefaun; one great-grandson Khayden; sisters-in-law Martha Kates, Barbara Kates and Lisa Kates; brother-in-law Earnest Hagan Jr.; godson D'Andre Laster; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and fans.

In addition to his parents, John and Alice Kates, Richard was pre-deceased by his newborn twin daughter and son, Gloria and Matthew Kates; siblings, John Courson Kates Jr., Lenzy Kates, Alexander Kates, Harry Kates Sr. and Ralph Kates; mother- and father-in-law, Earnest Sr. and Lula Bell Hagan; brothers-in-law Alphonso Rahming Sr., Alfred Jones and Leonard Hagan, and sister-in-law Vicky Hagan.

In lieu of flowers, please send a monetary donation via check to the following: