Harvey K. Bates

Mr. Harvey Bates was born on February 10, 1935 in Gregg County, Texas to the parents of Weber and Jessie Bates. He attended Ned E. Williams High School where he received his high school diploma. While there, he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Rosetta Bates. They would go on to marry on April 3, 1955 where they would bare four daughters of their own Linda Callaway, Paula Bates, Theresa Reese and Harlene Jason (Larry). 

Shortly after their marriage, Harvey enlisted into the United States Navy. He served his country for 20 years before retiring in 1975. During his service, he deployed to places such as Korea, England, and Vietnam where he served in the Vietnam War. Furthermore, he and his family were stationed in places such as New York, then Hawaii for three years, Texas for two years and lastly in California where he retired. From 1975 until 2006, they would live in Oxnard, California where they would be surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren before returning to their hometown of Longview, Texas. 

After retiring from the military, he began working as an agricultural engineer which enabled him to travel all over California. Retiring yet again afforded him the opportunity to enjoy time with his grandchildren often to get pancakes. He also coached little league baseball, loved sharing his passion of reading murder mysteries with others, and playing a game of dominoes with his friends and family.

He loved his family above all else. It didn’t matter whose child you were, he was simply called Daddy, Pa, grandpa, and gramps to everyone. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, six brothers and one sister.

As he leaves to join our Heavenly Father, he leaves behind the following people to celebrate his life: daughters Linda, Paula, Theresa and Harlene; grandchildren Michele Bates, Cherrie Williams, Zorya Reese, Justin Reese, Jonathan Callaway (Christine), Christopher Callaway, Alexa Szlykowicz (Mikolay), Joseph King; great-grandchildren Janaya Bates, Ariana Lambright, Torey Lambright, Anthony Szlykowicz, Zayden Conners, Kamryn Conners, Jaxon Conners, Brooklyn Callaway; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

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