Bob attended Boulder High School in Colorado and graduated in 1960. In September of that year, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in Denver, CO. After celebrating his 18th birthday, he was sworn in the next day and headed to boot camp. During his seven years in the USAF, Bob reached the rank of Staff Sergeant and served with distinction as a member of the Air Commando Squadron, specializing as an aircraft electrician in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. His notable service included supporting the visit of President Lyndon B. Johnson to Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, for which he and his team were presented with Zippo lighters engraved with the presidential seal and LBJ’s signature. Bob was highly decorated and deeply proud of his military service.
On August 10, 1963, Bob married the love of his life, Judy Ione Diana Hamner, and together they raised three sons.
Following his honorable discharge in 1967, Bob embarked on a career in the aerospace and telecommunications industries, working first at General Dynamics and LTV Aerospace before joining GTE in 1971. Over the course of his 32-year career at GTE/Verizon, Bob held numerous positions with increasing responsibility, ultimately retiring in 2003 as the Area Customer Services Manager (ACOM) for the West Texas Division. He was respected and admired by colleagues, earning the affectionate nickname “The Legend.” Bob took great pride in mentoring others and was instrumental in helping many begin their careers with the phone company.
Bob was a proud member of the Pioneer Club and the American Legion. An avid outdoorsman, he loved golfing, hunting, and fishing, with a particular passion for turkey calling and crappie fishing. He was also a loyal fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Dallas Cowboys, supporting them through both triumphs and challenges. Bob was proud to purchase a ranch for his family while planning for his retirement. He loved nothing more than to sit on the porch and watch his family enjoy the ranch, hunting and tending the garden he and his son’s created.
Bob was proud of his careers in the military career and GTE/Verizon. However, it pales in comparison of how proud he was of his family. Judy was the love of his life, always referring to her as “My Heart”. He took great pride in his three sons and their accomplishments and successes in life, both in their careers and families. His three boys were everything to him. Bob taught his boys how to be responsible outdoorsman. He passed along to his boys the love of sports, hunting, fishing, camping, and golfing, just to name a few of his favorite activities. He taught them to be men and to respect their mother and all women. He loved his daughters-in-law like they were his own daughters. He loved them dearly and was equally as proud of them as his son’s. As much as he loved being a father, he equally loved being Pop/Papa. He loved his grandsons and great grandson with all his heart. It is with great pride that his son’s will carry on his legacy and memory to them and the next generations of family members. Shortley before he passed, while all together with his family, they would see him staring and smiling at them. When asked if he was ok, he would say, “I am just happy”. He was not only a legend in his work career, he was a hero and a legend to his family.
Above all, Bob cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Judy Bates, and his fur babies, Phoebe and Daisy. He will be dearly missed by his sons: Bob Bates Jr. of San Angelo, TX; Craig Bates and his wife, Jennifer, of Argyle, TX; and Brandon Bates and his wife, Ashley, of San Angelo, TX. His memory will also be carried on by his grandchildren: Nathan Hunter Bates of San Angelo, TX; Kristopher Lane Hogg and his fiancée, Jessica, of Riesel, TX; Logan Michael Hogg of Waco, TX; Landon Robert Bates of Argyle, TX; and Landry Eliott Bates of Argyle, TX, as well as his great-grandson, Jackson Lane Hogg of Riesel, TX. Bob is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Bernice Bates; brothers Gerald Lynn Bates and Charles “Butch” Bates; and daughters Diana Dea and Cynthia Lea, both of whom were born prematurely.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm, on Monday, October 7, 2024 at Johnson's Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 2:00 PM at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel. Pallbearers will be Tim Williams, Antheny Pape, Dr. Shaughn Sims, Derek Cox, Joe Williams, and Terry Nolan. Honorary pallbearers include Nathan Bates, Lane Hogg, Logan Hogg, Wayne Graves, Richard Dunn, Butch Flint, Ron Knight, David Berry, and Bill Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Shriners Children's, the American Diabetes Association, or National Breast Cancer Foundation. The family also extends special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and Hospice of San Angelo for their compassionate care during Bob’s illness.
Bob will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his family, who will forever treasure his memory.
