Freddie D. Bates' Obituary
Freddie Bates passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2015 of Leukemia. He was 73 years old and was born on January 27, 1942 in Overton, TX. On November 4, 1960 Freddie married Jerry Petty in New London, and they both graduated from London High School in the class of 1961. Though they have lived in Longview since August 12, 1963 they always considered New London as home.
Freddie worked for Electronic Machines, Inc. for seventeen years and then bought the business in August of 1981. He served as president of the London Ex-Student Association and was an Elk at the Longview Elks Lodge #1128.
Freddie is survived by his wife Jerry; two sons Bret of Kilgore and Blakely of Hallsville; two grandsons Cole of Houston and Calvin of Lakewood, CO; one granddaughter “Haley Girl” of Stillwater, Ok; one brother Jimmy Bates of Henderson, TX; five sisters Jennie Lynn Ballard of Spring, TX, Dixie Duncan of Henderson, TX, Charlotte Martin of New London, TX, Patsy Anderson of Magnolia, TX and Debbie Martin of Troup, TX.
Freddie was preceded in death by his parents R.A. “Jack” and Jennie Bates; two brothers Hollis “Muley” Bates and Murt Bates both of New London; two sisters Johnnie Stallings of Vidalea, LA and Mollie Fuller of Longview.
The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home in Longview from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015
In Lieu of flowers the family wishes memorial contributions be made to the London Ex-Student Association scholarship fund C/O Jean Davidson, P.O. Box 477, New London, Texas 75682.
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