Donald Bates

BENJAMIN FUNERAL SERVICE NOWATA, OKLAHOMA 918-273-2700....

Donald Milton Bates,86, of Nowata, passed away at The Journey Home Hospice House in Bartlesville on March 29, 2021.

Mr. Bates was born June 29, 1934 in Altamont, Kansas to Carl Harrison Bates and Ethel Mae (Sterling) Bates. He attended Chetopa, Kansas High School and continued his education for one year at Coffeyville Junior College and one year at Farriers College, in Sperry, Oklahoma. Mr. Bates Joined the United States Air Force serving his country during the Korean War. He moved back to Southeast Kansas after returning from the war and married Virginia Lyon. They lived in Omaha Ne for a while when he was still in the service. A daughter, Kim was born of this marriage and they were later divorced. He then made his home in California and on August 28, 1960 he married Ruth Mane Williams in Carson City, Nevada. They moved from Citrus Heights, California to Nowata in 1994. Milton was a truck driver for years. He loved the open road while driving. He spoke often of the runs he made to California and back delivering cookies. He also enjoyed working with horses and cooking on his smoker. After retiring from trucking, he would talk for hours about his adventures on the road. Ruth passed away in 2015 after 55 years of marriage. He loved people and would do anything to help them. After Ruth’s passing Milton bought a riding lawn mower and was often seen going all over town mowing lawns. Not for money but for the love of helping others. On February 3, 2018 Milton married Barbara (Grissom) Parrett in Nowata. Milton would on moment’s notice tell Barbara to pack a bag they were going on a trip. One time, at a spur of the moment, they went to Colorado for steak at a restaurant he had eaten at while driving his truck. They got there and the restaurant had been closed for several years. He loved being around the grandchildren and even bought a camper so he and Barbara could go camping with the family. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. Milton will be missed by all who knew him.

Proceeding Mr. Bates in death are his parents Carl and Ethel Bates; his wife, Ruth; siblings, Velma Louise McKinney and her husband Dean, and Billy Bates and his wife Dorothy.

Survivors include his wife Barbara, of the home in Nowata; daughters Kim Tignor and husband George of Andover, Kansas, stepchildren, Kathy Tattershall, Ray Parrett, Jeff Parrett, and Bill Parrett, and Joyce Busenbark of North Carolina; grandchildren Travis Sailsbury, Kevin Sailsbury, Ashley Mille and Winston Mille, Caleb Swanson; six great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one brother Gilbert and Kay Bates of Midland, Tx; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral Service will be held Friday, April 2, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at the Benjamin Funeral Chapel with Brother Don Hazelwood officiating. Services are entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service, Nowata, Ok.  Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com or on our Benjamin Funeral Service Facebook page.  In lieu of flowers contributions can be made out to Journey Home in Bartlesville, OK.