Robert Allen "Bob" Bates

Funeral services for Robert Allen “Bob” Bates, 85, of Skiatook, OK, were held Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Collinsville, OK. Dr. Tim Prock officiated, and burial was in Osage Gardens Cemetery in Skiatook, OK. Casket bearers were Scott Bodley, Chad Fetzer, James Hadley, Scott Anderson, Darrin Marks, Leon O’Neal and Richard Mullinex. Honorary Casket bearers were Gordon Hays, Enoch, Cox, Corbin Bodley, Gideon Bodley, Jonathan Fetzer, Josh Hileman and Levi Marks.

Bob was born October 13, 1938, in Phoenix, AZ, to Robert Winsor Bates and Margaret Sarah (Callaway) Bates. He passed away December 27, 2023, in Tulsa, OK.

In 1958, he joined the Air Force and was a part of the Strategic Air Command. During his service, Bob was stationed in Tucson, Guam, and Florida. He also served during the Cuban Missile Crises. After his time in the Air Force, Bob joined the Navy Reserves and served another 5 years. Once his military service was finished, he made the move to Oklahoma to attend Spartan College of Aeronautics. In 1968, Bob started his career as a mechanic at American Airlines. He worked on the dc10, 747, 707 and 727 planes. Somewhere around the mid-1980s, he took the test for Inspector and worked as Inspector until his retirement in 1997. Throughout his career with American, Bob worked as an HVAC repairman for Walmart and John Zinc during times of layoff. In 1978, he was introduced to Georgia Lynne, and they were married shortly after on October 27, 1978. They made their home in Skiatook and had 45 wonderful years together. Bob was the proud father of five daughters. Three by birth and two by adoption. Bob had a host of hobbies and interests; Hamm radio, classic cars, traveling, WWII history and 3-D puzzles just to name a few. He loved to cook as well, and his specialty was hot sauce - aka Flame-Thrower. He looked forward to the family camping trip in Arizona every year. He could fix anything and if you had a question he wouldn’t stop until he had exhausted the answer. Bob was very active in his church and passionate about the Operation Christmas Child, putting together around 25 boxes every year. His family called him Al, most who knew him called him by the book, Bob. He was loved by all.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lynne Bates; daughters, Tammy Fetzer and husband, Chad, Diana Marks and husband, Darrin, Lorri Bates, Angie Bodley and husband ,Scott, Sarah Hadley and husband, James; 12 grandchildren, Josh, Jonathan, Miranda, Madison, Levi, Amanda, Morgan, Corbin, Cherish, Gideon, Allison and Leah; 5 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Logan, Thomas, Adileen and Luca; brother, Ron Bates and wife, Rose; sister, Sandy Moore and husband, Art; brother, Sid Bates and wife, Carol; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert W. and Margaret S. Bates and; grandson, Dusty Corey.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.