James Grady Bates

James Grady Bates, age 76, of Houston, Texas passed away on Monday, May 23, 2022. He was born in Houston, Texas on March 29, 1946 to parents Jasper & Victoria Bates. James met the love his life Susianne Knupp in Houston, January 23, 1990 and married on September 15, 2000. He worked in construction as an owner/operator of Jimmy Bates Backhoe Service for 45 years. He was a member of Life and had a passion for the rodeo, boat racing, fishing, boating, and camping.

Jimmy was a cowboy. He gave his all at Steer Wrestling and loved the Rodeo and everything about it. He was a great father, an awesome husband, and the best provider a woman could ask for. He was a very hard worker. Jimmy never passed up working, and it came first. He was a kid at heart and loved all of his family, his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. James loved to grow a garden and his favorite was tomatoes. He loved fruit and would never pass it up and if you came by the house he would always try to feed you something and would not take no for an answer. He never met a stranger, if he did not know you he was going to know you and you were sure going to know him. He loved to fish and jet boating racing. He just loved the thrill of going fast. James wanted to try his hand at everything life had to offer. He lived life large, and fought for his life all the way to the end he never gave up.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents; father: Jasper Grady Bates; mother: Victoria Leona Bates; son: James Douglas Bates (Bubba); brothers: Walter John Baumbach, Douglas Arthur Bates; sisters: Marcella Bates, Patricia Jean Cruse, Carleen Taylor and Phyllis Mock Calhoun.

James is survived by his loving wife: Susianne Marie Bates; children: Jeanie Bates Carter (Tab Carter), Randy Allen Bates, Kristi Nicole Bates, Darcy Gail Bates (Brandon Windham), and Jake Henry Bates; grandchildren: Richard Allen Bates (Shawna Bates), Chad Brandon Bates, James Dillon Bates “Bulldozer”, Jessica Marie Bates, Megan Michelle Bates, Allie J. Bates, Riley Ray Windham, and Baby Windham due to arrive December 25th, Brynlee Gail Bates; great grandchildren: Alyssa Marie Bates, Cadence Marie Bates, Caleb Allen Bates, and Lily Clark; brothers: Richard Baumbach and Lee Roy Bates; sisters Diane Scott and Judy Fulks; and many nieces and nephews; best friend Ronnie Word; pets: 3 cats, 2 dogs, 4 chickens, and his best K9 buddy Cane who was always by his side. Along with numerous other loving family and treasured friends.

Special thanks to Tammie and Kenny Wall, and La Gala Banquet Hall. As well as all the donations made from Ronnie Word, Wisenbaker Builder Services, Orange Grove Church of Christ and all of the donations that came through GoFundMe it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Visitation for family and friends will begin on Monday, June 6, 2022 from 6pm-9pm Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 10:30am. All services will take place at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway Houston, Texas 77039. Interment to follow in Brookside Memorial Park immediately after the funeral service.

Serving as pallbearers are Ronnie Word, Randy Bates, Jake Bates, Richard Bates, Chad Bates, James Bates, Brandon Windham and Eric Sorrow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brooksidefuneralhomelauder.com for the Bates family.