James Bates

James Bates

1928-2016

Services for James Junior Bates, 88, of Myrtle Springs, were held Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, at the Eubank Funeral Chapel in Canton with Bro. Brandon Bachtel and Bro. Homer Morgan officiating. 

Interment was in Haven of Memories. 

Mr. Bates passed away Nov. 25, 2016, in Tyler.  He was born Feb. 3, 1928, in Grand Saline to James Isaac and Georgia Marie Woodall Bates.

He was a member of the Good Hope Baptist Church. 

He lived in Myrtle Springs his whole life.  After serving in the US Army, he became a carpenter, farmer and rancher.  He loved hunting, fishing, dancing, baseball and football. He loved his family and had a full life with lots of Friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Verline Bates; son, Jimmy Lee Bates and sister, Edith “Dude” Wilson.

He is survived by his son, Kenneth and Susan Bates of Myrtle Springs; daughter, Myrlas and James Bateman of Myrtle Springs; six grandchildren, Andrea and Paul Faries, Michelle and Matt Petrey, Karen and Kevin Pickens, Amy and Chris Rhodes, Katari and John Merrifield and Jay Bo and Amber Bateman; 19 great-grandchildren; fiancé, Sandra Hurley; brother-in-law, Horace Lee Bates and sister-in-law, Joyce Ann Burgin.

Pallbearers were Louis Willoughby, Joe Drake, Michael Wilson, James Wilson, Don Baugh and Bobby Stringer. 

Honorary pallbearers were Joe Martinez, Jordan Davison, Mason Lewis, Cooper Stone, Jayden Morgan and Brayden Allen. 

The online guestbook may be signed at www.eubankfh.com.