Garth Charles Bates Jr.

GARTH CHARLES BATES, JR. Date of Birth Feb. 15, 1949 Houston, Texas Date of Death March 04, 2008 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Today we mourn the loss and celebrate the life of a True Gentleman. Garth a husband, father, grandfather, son and friend lived, loved and inspired others for the 59 years of his life. He was also affectionately known as G.B. and Poppie to his friends and family. Garth had many friends and business associates that will dearly miss him as he inspired all that knew him to reach for and achieve happiness and success. He and his wife of 38 years, Janet, along with his children Elisa, Trip and Ross, lived in San Antonio and Denver having many rich experiences before returning to his hometown of Houston. During those years, he served as Vice-President of his family company Stewart & Stevenson. He was also honored to serve his colleagues as the Chairman of the North American Distributor Council. In 2001 Garth moved to Oklahoma City to become President of United Engines and continue his successful business career. He loved the industry he worked in and leaves behind many business associates whom he also considered friends. Achievements in his career are credited to how he lived and how he treated all those around him. Garth was a proud Alumnus of Lamar High School in Houston, and the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas Austin. Outside of family and work, he enjoyed golf, travel, hunting, fishing, and a nice glass wine. He will be deeply missed by all. Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Janet Mayer Bates, Oklahoma City, his Mother, Nancy Stewart Bates of LaGrange, Children Elisabeth Annan Bates, Houston, Garth Charles Bates III & wife Melanie, Tulsa and Ross Randolph Bates & wife Lindsey, Dallas and grandchildren Miles, Lauren and Kaitlyn. Also, Stewart Bates, brother, Molly Maynard, sister both of Austin, Mother-In Law, Isabel Kronzer Mayer of Houston and Brother-In-Law, Randolph Mayer, Jr. of Atlanta. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, March 10th at 2:00pm at St. Luke's Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. An additional Gathering of Friends will take place at Smith & Kernke in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, March 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. It is located at 14624 N May Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "VICTORY" The American Cancer Society, Houston Division, 6301 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77057 and McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, GSB 5. 175 Austin, Texas 78712. Smith & Kernke 14624 N. May Avenue 302-0021