Donny L Bates Obituary (1945 - 2011) - Russellville, Arkansas

Donny L. "Buck" Bates, 65, of Russellville, died Thursday, October 13, 2011 at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville. The son of Loyd and Velva Turner Bates, he was born December 7, 1945 in Dover. He was a member of the Dover High School Class of 1965 and attended Arkansas Tech. He married the love of his life, Teressa Bates on September 10, 1971 at Russellville. The owner of Bates Distributing, he was in the Candy/Tobacco business for 47 years". He was instrumental in forming the Arkansas Tobacco Board which regulates the sale of Tobacco products. Buck was an aggressive competitor and won the American Chickle Company's nationwide annual sales increase award several years running. He served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves and his community in many ways. He was a 32degree Mason and a member of the Dover Masonic Lodge. Buck enjoyed Thoroughbred Racing, Deer Hunting and Fishing. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and he loved spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Doc and Zoe Bates; maternal grandparents, Ben and Martha Turner; his parents, Loyd and Velva Turner Bates; a grandson, Tex Martin Laffoon. He is survived by his wife, Teressa Bates, Russellville; two daughters, Tara Bates Laffoon and husband, Eric and Becca Bates Kirby and husband Jon, all of Russellville; three grandchildren, Turner Buck Canada, Garrett Laffoon and Briley Grace Wetzel, all of Russellville, four step-grandchildren, Adam Kirby, Brooks Ann Laffoon, Laney Laffoon, Riley Laffoon; four siblings, Anna Bates Passmore and husband Nolon, Conway, Bennie Bates Meadows and husband Troy, Dover, Bazzel H. Bates, Dover, Steve R. Bates and wife Dana, Dover; a host of family and friends; and Bobby Armstrong, whom he thought of like a son. Funeral will be at 4:00PM, Monday, October 17, 2011 at First United Methodist Church. Kent Dollar and Rev. Roy Smith will officiate. Burial will be at Owens Cemetery in Dover, by Humphrey Funeral Service. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Sunday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Camp Caudle, C/O Becky Miller, P O Box 1311, Dover, AR 72837. Pallbearers are Bazzel K. Bates, Greg Bates, Shawn Bates, Bryan Bates, Justin Young, Bryson Howard. Honorary pallbearers are Jon Kirby, Eric Laffoon, J. D. Freeman, Rick LaRue, Bobby Armstrong, the Employees of Bates Distributing and grandsons, Turner Buck Canada and Garrett Laffoon. PDF Printable Version