Richard Allen Bates

Richard A. Bates, age 79, passed away on January 21, 2023. He was born on August 25, 1943 to Helen and Ronald A. Bates in Kansas City, Missouri. He was raised in Kansas City and graduated from Westport High School in 1960. He graduated from Research College of Nursing and served in the United States Navy Nursing Corps as a Certified Operating Room Nurse from 1960 to 1992. His favorite tour of duty was on the U.S. island territory of Guam.

Richard married Elaine, his wife of 37 years, on May 3, 1985. After his military service, he was employed as a safety officer for Trans American Natural Gas Corporation. He retired in 1998.

Rich was a loving husband, father, brother and son. He enjoyed nature, experiencing God’s beautiful creation through diving, fishing, hunting and collecting seashells. He participated in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, serving as a search and rescue team coxswain and a boating safety instructor. Most recently, he enjoyed making and painting ceramics at his church’s recreation center.

A proud Eagle Scout, Rich was very patriotic. He disliked seeing Old Glory in disrepair, often commenting that a tattered flag was a disgrace to those who fought or died serving the United States. Rich will always be remembered for his love of God and Country, dry sense of humor, and sparkling blue eyes.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Ronald A. Bates; sister, Bette Bates; brother, Gene Bates; and by his former wife, JoAnn Trujillo.

Richard is survived by his wife, P. Elaine Kaler Bates; Sister-in law Marguerite (Victor) Vatzlavick; Brother-in-law Bob (Carol) Kaler; daughter, Anne (Sam) Benson; sons, Tony (Irene) Trujillo, Chris (Katy) Bates and David (Ashley) Bates; former wife, Pamela Woods; first cousin, Art (Lou) Kaler; Craig Bates and sister-in-law Kay Bates. He is also survived by Elaine’s children, Gloria (Robert) Barrera, Leonard (Jenny) Sherek, Martha (Gilles) Mirol, Charles (Karen) Sherek, and Lisa (Alan) Webb. Left to cherish his memory are his grandchildren, Tyler Bates, Justin Bates, Gabe Bates, Melody Bates, Simon Bates, Erick (Yadira) Benson, Candace Trujillo, Dallas Trujillo, Jonathan Haynie, Gwennaelle (Olivier) Denis, Clement Mirol, Justin Sherek, Kyle (Caroline) Sherek, Jade Webb, Matt Barrera, Catheryn (Jon) DeShaw, and Stephen (Sarah) Barrera; his great-grandchildren, Dustin Trujillo, Stephen Barrera, Samuel Barrera, Stella Barrera and Leo DeShaw, and a host of nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his First Baptist Church family and the Elmore Bible Class study group, as well as many cherished friends.

A memorial service celebrating Richard’s life will be held in the chapel (north side entrance) at First Baptist Church 3115 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Lloyd Lott will be playing the carillon. A reception will follow in the parlor. Interment will be held on August 25, 2023 at Crown Hill Masonic Cemetery in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church, Corpus Christi Bell Tower Foundation.

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