Otis Junior Bates

Otis Bates Jr. (Bub) was born on May 27, 1961, and passed away at his home in Marysville, Ohio, on November 9, 2023. A loving son born to Eva May Hall (Kentucky) and Otis Cleo Bates (Kentucky), Otis graduated from Dublin Coffman High School. He retired as a mechanic, having spent a career working for Muirfield Village Golf Club and finishing his work with Worthing Hills Golf Course.

Otis’s most remarkable achievements were his relationships with family and friends. Otis was a man of loyalty above all else, and Otis held family near and dear to his larger-than-life heart. Otis was a proud carrying card member of the Cleveland Browns Dawg Pound and was known on the sight of many by his Browns jacket he wore everywhere he went. At an early age, Otis was an avid hunter and learned the beauty and balance of being a respectful hunter of the land alongside his Father. Otis could be found on Fall Saturdays, cheering on his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes.

The family often exchanges the many times and instances that humor was the standard of Otis’s life. Those familiar or close with Otis have already expressed the void left when a personality such as his leaves for greener pastures. These expressions of grief emphasize the meaningful connections shared by him and others.

When asked to compose this remembrance for “Uncle O,” I reflected on his birth and passing dates (May 27, 1961-November 9, 2023). In so doing, I focused on the dash between the two dates. So much content takes place in the form of a dash. So many moments are shared between those left behind. Otis’s passing is a stark reminder to those left touched by him to live your dash in a way that others will always feel when you are gone. A person's impact will never be remembered for things they say to another. They will be remembered for how they made a person feel. In Otis’s example, live a dash between your dates that you are proud of, and others can feel your love in your absence. Uncle, on behalf of all of your family members, rest your weary head and heart, and once again feel the love of your Mom and Dad.

Otis is survived by his Sisters, Manya (Bates) Perkins, Stella (Bates) Ewing, Patricia (Bates) Hughes, and Carol (Bates) Green —many Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, and Uncles.

Otis had a small viewing with family members on November 13, 2023, at Schoedinger Funeral Home in Dublin, Ohio. A celebration of life is in planning for the near future. Please get in touch with the family if you want to know the details.