Buddy Bates

Roger “Buddy” Bates, 79, of Arnett passed away Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at his home.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Seaton Cemetery.

Buddy was born May 14, 1941, to Roy Lee Bates and Rosalee Rodgers in Gatesville. He graduated from Gatesville High School and went to Louisiana State University on a band scholarship.

In 1962, Buddy was married to Sarah Virginia Dunaway and they had three kids, Roger Royce Bates, Jr (Scooter), Marlon Lee Bates (Bubba) and Stacey Charmaine Bates Tippit.

The family lived in Zachary, Louisiana, and Buddy worked at Georgia Pacific Paper plant. Buddy also enjoyed stock car racing, playing softball, leading the choir at his church, and worked as a day laborer for local ranchers. He taught all three kids to ride horses while also enjoying showing horses himself.

In 1979, the family moved back to Gatesville so Buddy could go to Oklahoma Horseshoeing School to be a farrier, a long-time dream of his. Buddy went on to shoe horses for nearly 40 years. When Buddy wasn’t shoeing, he was enjoying breaking horses, team roping, going dancing and telling jokes.

On March 11, 2000, Buddy married Glena Jo Chumney, and they have spent the last 20 years sharing their lives together. Buddy was always willing to help those in need by offering them odd jobs around his place. He never met a stranger and was loved by all.

Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, sister Rosemary Herbert and brother Larry Bates.

He is survived by his wife Glena; brother; Tommy Bates; his three kids Scooter Bates and wife Terri of Killeen, Bubba Bates of Gatesville, Stacey Bates Tippit of Groesbeck; three step-children, John Capella of Gatesville, Chad Horton of Riesel and Christie Horton of Hutto; eight grandkids; and 11 great-grandkids with two more on the way.