Gregory Charles Pfeiffer Frates rode to heaven on Sunday, December 10th from his home surrounded by his Mom Connie, Dad Chuck, sister Jodie, girlfriend Amy, Amy’s mom Cindy, and his best friend Corky Hill. He was 46 years old, born on July 6, 1977, lived in North Platte, NE, and spent the last two years of his life fearlessly fighting against glioblastoma.
Greg attended Brule public schools, and graduated from South Platte High School in May 1996. Two months later he entered boot camp and served our country in the Marine Corps for four years before being honorably discharged. The years to follow Greg eagerly signed up for a variety of “crazy” experiences and schooling. Greg lived a life without limits, and if there was an adventure to be had, he was the first in line. His extreme work ethic was equal to that of his love for life and the adventures it held. He spent a summer working as a hot shot smoke jumper, years following he worked in the coal mines of Colorado and South Dakota, and perhaps the most interesting job took him on multiple trips to the South Pole, Antarctica. There, he was a heavy equipment mechanic and was invited to be a part of the first crew to find a land route from McMurdo Station to the South Pole. While on the excursion he repelled down crevasses, took amazing pictures, and very few showers left them all smelling something ripe upon their arrival to the South Pole. Greg returned to school in Estherville, Iowa to become a certified wind turbine technician where this job took him all over the US and Honduras. He eventually gave up the traveling life of wind turbines to join the mechanic team at NPPD, Gerald Gentleman Station. This relocation also allowed for him to continue his love for helping out on the farm and cattle. He was active in multiple organizations: Masons (fifth generation), Military Honor Guard, VFW, Eagles, The American Legion, ABATE, and the veteran group Yah-Ta-Hay.
Greg’s smile was infectious, and his zest for life almost indescribable. One of the greatest loves of his life was logging thousands of miles on his rigid seat Harley (that had to be at least twenty years old) and a bag of wrenches. Often, he would be heard saying, “let me fix my hair” and ride.
Greg ran with bulls in Spain, climbed Devil’s Tower (finishing the climb with only one shoe), and took any opportunity to visit a museum on his travels. Greg Frates was an amazing human and as many know, and have stated, “He was one of a kind”. Greg loved life and lived it to the fullest.
Greg was preceded in death by his grandparents, his sister, Michaelynn, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his father, Charles, his mother, Connie, his sister, Jodie, his girlfriend, Amy Sutherland, his brother from another mother, Courtney Hill, three nephews: Gabe, Orion, Zain; aunts, uncles, cousins, Ride or Die buddies, and his beloved dog, The Duke of Frates.
Memorials are suggested to Toys for Tots. Online condolences and livestream of his service can be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, December 15, 2023 at Harvest Christian Church with Rev. Jeremy Rinke officiating. Mason rites will be presented at the service. Burial will follow the service at the Brule Cemetery, Brule, Nebraska with full military honors. Visitation will be from noon – 7:00 P.M., Thursday, December 14, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home who is in charge of assisting the family.