Paul Bates

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Mr. Paul Dene Bates, 71, of Southwest City, Missouri departed this life Saturday, December 10, 2016 in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Paul entered this life on October 27, 1945, in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas to the late Troy Columbus and Jessie (Riter) Bates. He was raised in the Sulphur Springs area until the age of 13 when moved to western Kansas. He joined the Navy in 1962 and faithfully served his country during the Vietnam war. After returning home he drove trucks for Springdale Farms and Hudson Foods in Noel, he also worked as a mechanic and carpenter. In 1982 he started raising turkeys for Cargil. On May 31, 1968 in Southwest City, MO he was united in marriage to Diana Louise Wetzel and to this union two children were born. Paul was a deacon at the Southwest City First Baptist Church and enjoyed fishing in Colorado and riding four wheelers.

Paul was preceded in death by four brothers; JD, David, Troy and Butch.

Paul is survived by his wife Diana of 48 years, a daughter; Tracy Jackson and husband Ron of Southwest City, MO; a son Terry Bates and wife Starla of Live Oak, FL; three brothers; Jerry Bates and wife Kitty of Anderson; Dennis Bates and wife JoAnn of Mt. View, MO; Mike Bates and wife Diane of Tulsa, OK; a sister; Kay Drake and husband Roy of Siloam Springs, AR; four grandchildren, Lakin and Shiloh Jackson of Southwest City; Zeke and Ruthie Bates of Noel; and one great granddaughter BraeLynn of Southwest City, as well as a host of other family and friends who will dearly miss him.

Services for Mr. Paul Dene Bates will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the Southwest City First Baptist church with pastors Bob Hudson and Rob Grimm officiating. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are; Chief Lindquist, Kip Lindquist, Larry Troyer, Shawn Wright, Shane Reece and Dan Frye. Aaron Wolff will serve as honorary pallbearer. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Southwest City Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday, December 12th at the Ozark Funeral Home in Southwest City, MO from 6 until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Mexico Medical Missions.