Obituary for Don H Bates
Visitation will begin Sunday from 12-8 PM with the family present from 3-5 to greet friends at the funeral home an additional viewing will be on Monday from 4-8 PM
A Celebration of Life will be held 1 P.M. Tues. Dec. 31, 2019 at Faith Tabernacle 800 S. Portland OKC, OK. 73108.
Memorials may be made to: Feeding 5000 in care of Faith Tabernacle.
Don H. Bates was born September 9, 1934 in Ryan, Oklahoma to Hollie G Bates and Beatrice Mae Rogers. He attended Hawkins School in Alex, Oklahoma. He began working in various agricultural jobs beginning at age 15. He met Shirley “Mickey” Ann Gore and they were married September 10, 1953.
In 1952, Don began working at Wilson’s Food at the Oklahoma City Stockyards, where he completed 40 years of employment as a butcher when the plant closed in 1992. While working at Wilson’s Food, Don also received a call into the ministry, initially providing pulpit supply and leadership in their home church Newcastle Assembly of God. In 1972 he was asked to serve as the pastor of the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church of Dibble for approximately four years. Afterwards, he would offer short-term pastoral supply to various independent churches in the area. Because he was working at Wilson’s Foods and providing Pastoral Ministry at the same time, Don would travel from his home in the Blanchard/Newcastle area to go to work at Wilson’s food at 5am , get off work at 3pm in afternoon (unless there was overtime) then drive to Dibble/Blanchard areas most evenings to do visitation and conduct services.
After retiring from Wilson Foods, he began working with his son in “Don Bates Homes” building homes throughout the Yukon/Mustang area. In the last few years Don began a mowing service, mowing the campus of Faith Tabernacle/Faith Church and the acreages of others until his first heart attack in August, 2019.
During a trip to California in the 1960’s they attended a revival meeting that his sister-in-law coordinated with their pastor. It was during this revival that Don and Shirley accepted Jesus and it changed the rest of their lives and altered their family history. They became devoted followers of Jesus, actively serving/volunteering in ministry. Don and Shirley began attending Faith Tabernacle in the 1980’s. After Shirley passed away in February of 2007, Don met Patricia Ann Collins on a Faith Tabernacle Senior Adult Trip to Branson, Missouri and they later married on October 18, 2008. Don and “Pat” (Patricia) continued attending Faith Tabernacle where he became known as the “Donut Hole” man, bringing donuts to his grandkids at church (and it expanded to others), in addition to bringing donuts to his Bible Class each Sunday.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and five brothers; and his first wife Shirley “Mickey” Ann Gore Bates. He is survived by his wife Patricia Ann Collins Bates; three sons Rickie Bates; Don D Bates (and his wife Kathi); Terry L Bates (and his wife Robin); three stepsons; Larry Collins; Timmy Collins (and his wife Rachel); John Collins (and his wife Brandi); 19 Grandchildren; 9 Great-Grandchildren and a host of friends/family.
A Celebration of Life will be held 1 P.M. Tues. Dec. 31, 2019 at Faith Tabernacle 800 S. Portland OKC, OK. 73108.
Memorials may be made to: Feeding 5000 in care of Faith Tabernacle.
Don H. Bates was born September 9, 1934 in Ryan, Oklahoma to Hollie G Bates and Beatrice Mae Rogers. He attended Hawkins School in Alex, Oklahoma. He began working in various agricultural jobs beginning at age 15. He met Shirley “Mickey” Ann Gore and they were married September 10, 1953.
In 1952, Don began working at Wilson’s Food at the Oklahoma City Stockyards, where he completed 40 years of employment as a butcher when the plant closed in 1992. While working at Wilson’s Food, Don also received a call into the ministry, initially providing pulpit supply and leadership in their home church Newcastle Assembly of God. In 1972 he was asked to serve as the pastor of the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church of Dibble for approximately four years. Afterwards, he would offer short-term pastoral supply to various independent churches in the area. Because he was working at Wilson’s Foods and providing Pastoral Ministry at the same time, Don would travel from his home in the Blanchard/Newcastle area to go to work at Wilson’s food at 5am , get off work at 3pm in afternoon (unless there was overtime) then drive to Dibble/Blanchard areas most evenings to do visitation and conduct services.
After retiring from Wilson Foods, he began working with his son in “Don Bates Homes” building homes throughout the Yukon/Mustang area. In the last few years Don began a mowing service, mowing the campus of Faith Tabernacle/Faith Church and the acreages of others until his first heart attack in August, 2019.
During a trip to California in the 1960’s they attended a revival meeting that his sister-in-law coordinated with their pastor. It was during this revival that Don and Shirley accepted Jesus and it changed the rest of their lives and altered their family history. They became devoted followers of Jesus, actively serving/volunteering in ministry. Don and Shirley began attending Faith Tabernacle in the 1980’s. After Shirley passed away in February of 2007, Don met Patricia Ann Collins on a Faith Tabernacle Senior Adult Trip to Branson, Missouri and they later married on October 18, 2008. Don and “Pat” (Patricia) continued attending Faith Tabernacle where he became known as the “Donut Hole” man, bringing donuts to his grandkids at church (and it expanded to others), in addition to bringing donuts to his Bible Class each Sunday.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and five brothers; and his first wife Shirley “Mickey” Ann Gore Bates. He is survived by his wife Patricia Ann Collins Bates; three sons Rickie Bates; Don D Bates (and his wife Kathi); Terry L Bates (and his wife Robin); three stepsons; Larry Collins; Timmy Collins (and his wife Rachel); John Collins (and his wife Brandi); 19 Grandchildren; 9 Great-Grandchildren and a host of friends/family.