Michael G Bates

After graduating from high school in White Oak, TX, Mike married Martha Sue Cowan on November 28, 1964, in Pritchett, TX. Together they had three children, but later divorced after 31 years.

In May 1966, he enlisted in the United States Army. He attended boot camp at Fort Polk, then served at Fort Benning in Georgia, where he served as private. He eventually was stationed in Munich Germany during the Vietnam War where he was a motor Sergeant. He finished his service in Fort Hood in May 1969. While serving he was awarded a National Defense Service medal and medal for expert rifleman.

After his honorable discharge from the army, Mike spent the majority of his adult life working for Texas Eastman Kodak which became Eastman Chemical. Initially he joined as a general helper in the General Utilities and Maintenance department. He completed his maintenance apprenticeship in 1973 and was named a general maintenance mechanic. In 1976 he was assigned to Planning and Materials Coordination, then in 1978, moved to Field Services where he also participated in the Fireman program at Texas Eastman. In 1984, he moved to the Polyethelene Maintenance department. He retired after 29 years in July 1998 from #1 Polyethylene Synthesis Department.

Mike later married Deanna Lynn Curreton just prior to her death in 2004.

When Mike wasn’t working, he was fishing, or teaching someone to water ski, caring for cattle, or doing more fishing. When you couldn’t find him, it was likely because cell service wasn’t good at the particular fishing spot he was fishing that day. He worked cattle on a farm out in Pritchett, TX for his mother-in-law Dorothy Cowan for many years to help her after her husband died. He also enjoyed a good laugh. Find an old work buddy, fishing buddy, or just a good friend, and you could be entertained for quite some time with stories of their fun together. Mike was also a brave man sometimes taking on a handful of squealing grand-girls all at one time, sometimes for a week at a time. He loved all of his grand-girls!

We grieve his death, but with the hope and faith that death on Earth is just a transition. Jesus spoke eternal life into those who believe in Him. Mike hasn’t been able to enjoy fishing the last several years, but he now has the perfect new fishing spot, not to mention the perfect new fishing partner.

Preceded in death by his father Justice Bond Bates I, his mother Zeora Ann Guess, his brother Larry Bates of North Carolina, and his wife Lynn Curreton Bates. He is survived by the mother of his children, his sister-in-law Tinka Bates of North Carolina, his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Phil Swanson of Arizona, his daughter Angela Camille Dahl and her husband Dewayne Nelson Dahl both of Round Rock, TX, his daughter Zanetta Linea Hancock and her husband Jerry Paul Hancock of both of Celina, TX, and his son Justice Bond Bates II and his wife Jessica Nichole Bates both of Longview, TX, his step-daughter Stacy Lynell Morales of Spring, TX, and 8 granddaughters, Olivia Lauren Dahl, Katelyn Abigail Morales, Erica Elaine Hancock, Lauren Hope Bates, Anita Linea Hancock, Jensen Naomi Bates, Jamisen Belle Bates, and Jillien Mae Bates as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many friends.

Mike Bates was a friend to all and a giving man. He will be greatly missed until the time comes when we can see him again in Heaven. The family feels that he would want donations to either Compass Hospice, who took great care of him in his final months, or an organization supporting stroke or Parkinson’s victims, or the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.