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John Bates Obituary
Bucky was born on July 9, 1955, in Denver, Colorado, to John Paul and Ann L. Bates. The family moved to Midland in 1958, where he attended elementary school, junior high and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1973. He graduated from Baylor University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and from Baylor University Law School in 1980. He practiced law in Midland.
Preceding him in death were his father, John Paul Bates, Sr. and his aunt, Evelyn Dollar.
He is survived by his son, John Paul "Jay" Bates, III, of Midland, his mother, Ann L. Bates, and his brother James C. Bates and his wife Ramona, of Houston, Texas, and their children, Matthew, Kaitlyn and Will. He is survived by his uncle, Delbert Dollar, of Big Sandy, Texas and his nephews, Austin "Smiley" Erck, Ryan Erck, Patrick Cunningham and his nieces, Lauren Bondy, Erin Bondy and Caitlin Erck. He is also survived by Jay's mother, Anne Bates.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Keith Poe, Greg Thagard, Mike Cunningham, Hal Brockett, Bill Mewhorter, Tom Kelly, Mark Teinert, David Parker, Bud Saunders, Willliam G. Freitag and Delbert Dollar.
Memorial services will be 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity with Mary Collier officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Springboard Center, 112 N. Lorraine, Ste. 410, Midland, Texas 79701.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. To place online condolences please visit www.mem.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Bates
David Goolsby
December 13, 2008
Dear Bates Family,
I was sadden to hear of Bucky's passing. Growing up with Bucky on Tarleton St., I have so many fond memories of Bucky and his family. From trying to build a tree house to digging a club house ,from sports efforts to Jr High dances Bucky fills so many memories. I offer my prayers to the family and especially to Mrs Bates and Jamie.
Grace and Peace
David Goolsby
Jeffie Cappadonna
December 12, 2008
Ann-
We were saddend by the news of Bucky's passing-please know that you and Jay are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mitchell & Jeffie Cappadonna
Lisa Knight
December 5, 2008
Ann and Jay:
I was so shocked to hear that Bucky had died. I am so very sorry. I am thinking of you all. I have good memories of Bucky at Bates & Cunningham.
Danny & Donna Henslee
December 5, 2008
to Bucky's family:Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. We didn't know him very well, but well enough to know he was a good person and a really good friend to my sister, Diane Walls. We thought very highly of Bucky, and are so sorry for yall's loss.
Ellen Anderson Logan
December 4, 2008
Anne,
Shery sent me the message about Bucky and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Please know I am thinking about you and your son at his loss.
Sherylen Yoak
December 4, 2008
Ann, my long lost friend, Cindy Williams just sent this to me today..what a shock to learn of friends dying so young. So many memories from Baylor! And when y'all came out here to California.
I will let Ellen know too...
Love you, prayers to you and your family.
Sherylen
Cindy Lambeth- Riddle
December 3, 2008
Ann and Jay, I was so shocked to hear about Bucky! I remember him well from Lee! And the group of us that were all couples! Those were the days! My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Mary Hargis
December 2, 2008
I was saddened and shocked to hear about Bucky's passing. I've known Bucky since elementary school. He and Andy Moore were friends back then. We were in the Mary Poppins play together and other plays. Although we didn't stay in touch I know he will be missed. He has gone home to our Father and is now at peace.
Mary Friberg Hargis
Kristen Winget Casey
December 2, 2008
Ann,
Peggy called me yesterday. I am so saddened to hear about Bucky. I wish my Mom were here so we could get on a plane and come see you. My love to Jamey. I will contact Jim and Bill and I will be in touch with you soon.
Love,Kristen
Mark & Diane Ochs
December 2, 2008
We will keep you all in our prayers as we have since learning of Bucky's death. Anne, please know that you can call on us anytime. I wish we could have reconnected before this. We both have fond memories of Bucky at LHS only a few years ago!
Bill Freitag
December 2, 2008
Dear Anne, Jay and Ann Bates: We were saddened and shocked by Bucky's passing. Please except our sincerest condolences.
Bucky was a good person. God Bless you.
Pat and Bill Freitag
Melanie Erwin
December 2, 2008
I was his first legal secretary many years ago. He was a wonderful boss with a great sense of humor. Although I moved away, I still thought about him and how kind he always was to me. He is in a wonderful place now and you can take comfort in knowing that.
Donna & John Keffler
December 2, 2008
We are truly shocked and saddened by the passing of our good friend Bucky. Mrs. Bates, Anne and Jay, we are praying that you all will find comfort in this difficult time.
Gary Mitchell
December 1, 2008
Dear Ann & Jamie:
I was so sorry to hear about your loss of Bucky. I have very fond memories of time spent in your home when Bucky & I were in Jr. High. One year Bucky came with my family and me to Lake LBJ and we were fishing and Bucky got "hooked" by a lure. We had to take him to the doctor to get it cut out of his shoulder. My thoughts will be with you during this difficult time.
Susan Johnson Weaver
December 1, 2008
Mrs. Bates, Jamie, Anne and Jay,
I was shocked to hear of Bucky's passing. I considered him a good friend even though I had not seen him for some time.
My most heartfelt prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Roxane and Ben Strickling
December 1, 2008
Dear Ann and Jay,
We are so sorry for your loss. Bucky was a great guy and we will miss him. We know he is at peace now and we will keep you and your entire family in our prayers. Let us know if we can do anything to help you.
Our love and prayers are with each of you.
Debbie Hiddemen
December 1, 2008
Dear Bates Family, Your Son, Brother & Father had a very kind heart with a smile that shined brightly. Bucky was a special person that will be missed by many. Now God has taken Bucky home to rest in his arms and left us with great memories of a fine man.
May God bring you peace & comfort at this time in your lives.
Gena Robinson Teer
December 1, 2008
Dear Ann, I am so very sorry to hear about Bucky. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your son and Bucky's entire family. Take care of yourself and know I am thinking of you and your son.
Clayton Holcomb
December 1, 2008
To the Bates Family,
I am truly sorry for the loss of Bucky. We spent many moments together playing Baseball, Football and at Church and school. Though we did not stay in touch these many years, he was always a good friend.
Faron Cain
December 1, 2008
Mrs. Bates, Anne, Jay, and Jamey--All of you are in my thoughts and prayers on the loss of my old friend Bucky. My love to all of you.
John White
December 1, 2008
Jamie and Ann,
Though lives diverge from those fun filled high school days and we lose touch of the day to day activities of living out a life, those memories as kids back at Midland Lee, will always be held close to our hearts; cherished forever.
I was deeply saddened and takened back to hear of the news of Bucky's passing. It is our hopes and fervent prayers that you will find solace and comfort that life extends beyond this earthly realm.
God Bless You All
Randy Clark
December 1, 2008
Ann, Jamey and family: Our family sends our love to you. We are so sorry to hear the news about Bucky. We are praying for God's comfort during this time. We love you.
Randy, Lori, Matt, Kathryn and Ethan.
Sheree Martin Buice
December 1, 2008
Jamey,
What a sad way to reconnect with old friends, I am so sorry for your family's loss.
KATHY & Tandy REPPOND
December 1, 2008
We are so very sorry to hear about Bucky, we havent known him but a short time but he was a wonderful friend and we feel very Blessed to have known him. He will be so missed.
Our condolences to family.
Jon David Kubicki
November 30, 2008
Dear Jay and Ann, I'm so sorry to hear the news about Bucky. My thoughts are with you and I will always remember the good times we had together. Hope to hear from you soon. Love Jon David
Donna Kubicki
November 30, 2008
Dear Ann and Jay, We are so sad and sorry to hear about Bucky. We will always remember the wonderful times our family and yours shared together. Our thought and prayers are with you. Love Jerry, Donna, Rachel, Joseph and Jon David
Shirley Perkins
November 30, 2008
Dear Ann,
I am shocked and saddened to read about Bucky. I will always remember him as a much loved student and can still see him in that "sunshiny house painted yellow" from Mary Poppins.
Suzy Graham
November 30, 2008
Dear Ann and Jamey, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you, so saddened to hear this news, but blessed with so many happy memories of your wonderful family. with love,
Kevin Clark
November 29, 2008
Bucky and his family have a part of our family since we can remember. Our memories of Tarleton street and the Bates family will always last forever. He loved his family and friends. We are all blessed to have known him and will miss him. Bucky we love you.
Tony & Rachel Stone
November 29, 2008
Ms. Bates,
Tony and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your son. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May God bless each and every one of you.
Jimmie Munn
November 29, 2008
I have fond childhood memories spending time with Bucky, Jamie, Ann and John Paul.
Kelly Fish
November 29, 2008
Ann and Jamie, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember when Jamie and I got to hang with Bucky and his older friends, so many good memories. May God bless Bucky Bates.
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