Richard Bates, My Dad, My Coach, My Friend. 1938-2008

Richard Bates, My Dad, My Coach, My Friend. 1938-2008

Richard Darrel Bates the son of Jack Darrel and Leora May (West) Bates was born November 24, 1938 at Belleville, Kansas. He departed this life on Monday, January 05, 2009 at his home in Superior, Nebraska at the age of 70 years.

Dick graduated from Montrose Rural High School in Montrose, KS in 1957. He was in the Navy and later attended Manhattan Bible College, serving as student minister at Mayview Christian Church in rural Jewell, Kansas.

Dick received the Lord as his Savior when a youth and was baptized in the Christian Church at Belleville, Kansas. Dick was united in marriage to Mary Ann Sipe April 3, 1960 at the Methodist Church at Montrose, Kansas. This union was blessed with the birth of four children, three sons and one daughter. The couple moved to Superior in 1962.

Dick was a member of the First Baptist Church, serving as Deacon, Trustee, Moderator, and Sunday School teacher. He took many Bible courses by correspondence.

Dick was an accomplished athlete in high school and coached many little league basketball and baseball teams as well as American Legion baseball teams and women' softball . He was also an official Kansas basketball and football referee and an avid Husker fan.

Dick worked for the Farmer's Union Creamery, was an independent milk truck driver and worked at Ideal Cement. When it closed he attended Central Community College at Hastings. Later working as custodian at Superior High School and nurse's aide at Nelson Good Samaritan Center.

Dick was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis on his 65th birthday.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Barbara Snyder.

Survivors include: his wife Mary Ann of Superior, NE; sons Timothy Darrel Bates and wife Cindy of Superior, NE; Richard Daniel Bates and wife Janet of Genoa, NE; James Dean Bates and wife Mindy of Platte Center, NE; daughter Shirley Linette Bates of Tallahassee, FL; sister Carolyn Gumm and husband Bob of Superior, NE; brother Stephen Bates and wife Barbara of Wichita, KS; twelve grandchildren: Alicea Mohler of Superior, NE; Nicole Ruge and husband Brian of Augusta, SC; Andrew Bates and wife Chandra of Belleville, KS; Michael Bates and Abby of Superior, NE; Alexcia Bates of Columbus, NE; Matthew Bates and Lindsey of Duncan, NE; Sarah Bates of Genoa, NE; Mary Ann Young and husband Michael of Pensacola, FL; Victoria Givens of Tallahassee, FL; Christopher Givens of Clarksville, TN Abigail Bates and fiancé Luke Cada and Allison Bates of Platte Center, NE; nine great grandchildren: Cody and Kaylee Mohler of Superior, NE; Caleb and Keirra Bates of Belleville, KS; Angel, Erica, and Christopher Young of Pensacola, FL ; Raymon and Damien Givens of Tallahassee, FL; 2 step great grandchildren: Michael and Madison Young of Pensacola, FL, nephews, nieces, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held this Thursday 10:00 AM, January 8, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Superior, NE. James Bates will be officiating. Burial will be held in the Evergreen Cemetery, Superior, NE. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 9 am to 8 pm at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Superior, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wmsfh.com. Williams Funeral Home of Superior, NE is in charge of the arrangements.