Robert Bates
Funeral services for Robert (Bob) Paul Bates, 85-year-old former Thomas resident, were scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday in the First United Methodist Church of Thomas with Pastor Kip Heatley and Pastor Jerry Yoder officiating.
Bates was born on Oct. 1, 1929 to Hollie Gerald and Beatrice Mae (Rodgers) Bates in Ryan.
He spent his youth and childhood in the Ryan area where he attended school and helped his father, along with his other siblings, farming.
He left home to enlist in the Air Force where he served as a firefighter. After being discharged from the service, he moved to the Weatherford area and studied to do watch repair at the former Southwestern State College.
During this time he met LaDona Mae Dobbins. The couple married in August of 1952 and made their home in Thomas.
He owned and operated Bates Jewelry for many years. He moved his family to the Flagstaff area for a short period of time. Upon returning to the Thomas community he began doing carpentry work.
Then in 1967, he started doing custom hay as well as the carpentry work. He later operated both along with his sons. He provided this service for many individuals throughout the Thomas community and surrounding counties.
He retired from the carpentry work and custom hay business in 1999. During his time in the community he belonged to several local organizations, including Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and Shriners.
Bates ran the chains for several years for the Thomas Terriers football team. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Thomas.
Survivors include his current wife, Evelyn Bates, of the home; two sons, Robert P. Bates, Jr. and his wife, Carol, of Thomas and Darrell Ray Bates, and his wife, SanDee, of Jones; one daughter, Beverlyn Gail Lasley, and her husband, Griff, of Stratford, Texas; seven grandchildren, Jason Scott Bates, and his wife, Rena, of Thomas, Travis Allen Bates, and his wife, Nikki, of Thomas, Christopher Paul Bates, and his wife, Carissa, of Weatherford, Kaylon Bates of Jones, Brant Bates, and his wife, Jaime, of Jones, Nikki Dawn Reeder, and her husband, Justin, of Cashion, Chantz Logan Robinson, and his wife, Jennifer, of Cashion; 21 great grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; four brothers, Glen Bates, of Duncan, Don Bates, of Blanchard and Kern Bates, of Ft. Worth, Texas.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Hollie and Beatrice Bates; one sister, Edith Allen; and two brothers, Joe Bates and Charles Bates; and his wife of 44 years, LaDona Mae (Dobbins).
Burial will follow in the Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas, under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Thomas.