Gary Dean Bates

Gary Dean Bates of Jamestown, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on Saturday April
18, 2026. He was born on August 30, 1941 in Thornton Kentucky. He passed from this
life into eternity peacefully at Miami Valley Hospital South campus in Centerville, Ohio
succumbing to a long time lung illness he battled for several years.
Gary was a loving devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife
Louise of 63 years, daughters Sandra and Cynthia of Jamestown, Ohio as well as sons
Michael and his wife Sarah of Florence, Kentucky and son Christopher and his wife
Tiffany of Hawkinsville, Georgia. Gary also leaves behind six grandchildren: Emerson,
Katelyn, Elijah, Jacob, Evelyn, Benjamin and one great-grandchild, Serena Rose. Gary
is also survived by 3 sisters: Sue Lowe of Muncie Indiana, Brenda Allen of Richmond
Indiana and Estelene Shepard of Whitesburg Kentucky as well as a sister-in-law
Deborah Bates of Roxana, Kentucky and several nieces, nephews other family
members and friends.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents Carnealous and Louise Bates of Roxana,
Kentucky and brothers Carl Daniel Bates of Thornton, Kentucky; Herald Gene Bates of
Roxana, Kentucky; brothers-in-law James Shepard of Whitesburg Kentucky, David
Lowe of Winchester Indiana; and Troy Allen of Richmond, Indiana.
Gary served in the USAF for 23 years reaching the rank of SMSgt followed by 22 years
of USAF Civilian service achieving the level of GS-13 receiving accommodations and
decorations for his contributions to the United States for over 40 years of service to his
country. He spent time in Korea early in his career and later South-East Asia during the
Vietnam conflict including Thailand where he not only supported the war effort but
helped in orphanages and other humanitarian assistance in his off duty time.
Gary enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going camping, playing Pinochle,
golfing, traveling, gardening, and helping others. Gary was a long time regular attender
and supporter of the Old Regular Baptist church organization and had a deep
appreciation and love of God through salvation in Jesus Christ. He will be greatly
missed by his loved ones but is now with Jesus and has no more suffering.
Rom 10: 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.    For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2 Tim 4: 7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have
loved His appearing.

Funeral: 11:00 O'clock A.M. Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation: 6:00 P.M. Friday at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Maggard Cemetery at Isom, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Gary's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project or another veteran agency of your choice.