Emmet T. Bates

Emmet T. Bates, age 84, of Grants Pass, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, October 11, 2012.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 19, 2012 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors with Pastor Dan Garland of Hugo Community Church officiating. Private interment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery.

He was born in Caddo Gap, Arkansas on April 3, 1928, the son of R. Milton and Onga Bates. He married Barbara Porto in 1953 and they had two daughters. As a sergeant in the United States Army, Mr. Bates served in the Korean War from 1950-1952. Mr. Bates worked for various trucking companies throughout his life in Arkansas, California and Oregon as a driver and later in management.

In 1980 he married Maxine Fay. They joined and served with Gideons International, as well as Applegate Community Church, going on several missionary trips to foreign countries. In 2004, they moved from Applegate to Grants Pass and joined Hugo Community Church. Mr. Bates enjoyed reading and studying the Bible, golfing, and visiting friends and family around the country.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine Bates; children, Deborah (Bates) Lucas, Denise (Bates) Gallmann, Cindy (Fay) Skinner, Susie (Bates) Ashbridge and Tom Fay; sisters, Ruby Hollifield and Wilma Brink; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his brother, William Bates and sister, Geneva Bates.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Gideons International, PO Box 605, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528.

The family wishes to thank everyone at Arbor House for taking such good care of Emmet.