Jack Bates

Bradley Jack Bates of Stigler, Oklahoma was born on January 20th, 1957 in Commerce, TX to Cecil Merle and Marna Beth (Johnson) Bates. He passed away on April 23rd 2024 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 67. He is survived by his loving wife, Jackie Lynn (Hiser) Bates of the home, six children Kyle Bates and wife Lacey of Piedmont, Kendrick Bates and wife Kim of Stigler, Kelsey Clarke and husband Kevin of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Shane Bates and wife Jessica of Wagoner, Ok, Angie Hathcock and husband Brandon of Yukon, Ok, and Chelcie Duvall and fiancé Jarren Terrell of Stigler, Ok, 9 grandchildren Gavyn Jones, Emma Bates, Laynie Bates, Jaxsyn Hathcock, Cooper Bates, Katy Bates, Shane Goff, Brayden Hathcock and Haven Hathcock, his mother Marna Beth Bates of Stigler, Ok, 2 brothers Eric Bates and wife Delaina of Checotah, Ok, Brian Bates of Stigler, Ok, a sister, Stephanie Peters and husband Bob of Stigler; sister-in-law Connie Bates of Van Buren, Arkansas. Jack was preceded in death by his father Cecil Merle Bates and identical twin brother Raymond Mack Bates. Jack spent the greater part of his early childhood living in Greenville, Texas until about his Junior year in High School. Jack was a gifted athlete. He played tennis, football but his favorite sport was baseball. He coached little league baseball for many years and brought one of his teams to an undefeated closure as Champions 17-0. Many of the boys he coached went on to play high school baseball. Jack's family moved to Stigler when he was a Junior in High School where he participated in football, choir and was voted one of the class officers of his Senior graduating class. After graduating from Stigler High School in 1975, Jack attended Connors State college obtaining his associate degree. Jack had intended on finishing his degree and becoming a History teacher but as it often does, life happened. Unknowingly to Jack, his career, like his father before him landed in the oil and gas industry. Jack went to work for Oklahoma Natural Gas in 1978. In 1982, Jack began working for Ozark Gas Pipeline and in some form or fashion worked on the same gas pipeline assets for 42 years. He was knowledgeable in most all facets of the natural gas business but was most known for his gas measurement and automation abilities. Jack spent most of his 40+ years making lifelong friends from coworkers and acquaintances. Jack was always willing to stop what he was doing and help someone out in need, whether that was troubleshooting a measurement problem or changing a flat tire. Jack especially enjoyed teaching others what he had learned, mostly the hard way according to him. Jack wasn't always perfect, but he never missed an opportunity to show someone compassion when they needed it and that's what we all loved about him. Jack had a charismatic personality in which people were just naturally drawn to him. His kind spirit and tender heart was recognized by others even at a very young age. In fact one of the most prized awards that could be bestowed upon any kid going to school in Greenville, Texas was the American Legion Citizenship Award. Jack was 1 of only 2 freshman from a class of approximately 250-300+ kids that received this was honor.
Jack was a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan no matter how good or bad their season was. He never missed a Cowboys game for anything or anybody. He also rooted for the Oklahoma Sooners except when they played the Texas Longhorns. He often said he was a Texan by birth and Okie by choice. Jack wasn't usually the first one there but was typically the last one to let you leave. Jack loved to visit, and he wasn't particularly bias as to who he would visit with, he just loved a good conversation. Those of us that knew him well all know that a 30-minute lunch with Jack would often turn into an hour and half if he caught a glimpse of someone he hadn't seen in a few years. As annoying as this was sometimes, we loved him for it. But, with all the friends Jack made over the years there were two lifelong friends he made early in his life and kept right up until the end, Randy Neal and Bill Leroy. Regardless of his faults or theirs, they were always his buddies. With all the adversity Jack faced during the later part of his life and work career he never let it break his will to test gas meters, to which we will never understand but that's OK. Jack was diagnosed with larynx cancer in 2005 and was given a 50/50 chance at surviving it. With the help of a great team of doctors, his wife Jackie and shear will on his part he beat cancer. In doing so Jack reset his life, reevaluated his priorities, and started over down a path in which he could set a good example for his family, grandchildren and friends, and we loved him for it. Jack will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him. We will miss his willingness to teach, his conversations, his humor and most of al his kind generous heart. We love him for all of it and we know Heaven holds a special place for this special man!
Funeral Service will be 2:00 P.M, Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Stigler First Assembly of God Church with Reverend Willard Francis officiating. Pallbearers include Kyle Bates, Kendrick Bates, Shane Bates, Gavyn Jones, Zach Bates, Andrew Bates. Honorary Pallbearers include Bob Peters, Brian Bates, Eric Bates, Bill Leroy, Randy Neal, Daniel Clark.
Bural will follow under the direction of King & Shearwood Funeral Home of Stiger.