Gene Bates

Gene Bates, 67, of Hamburg, a loving husband, father, and Pa, died Thursday, September 12, 2019, at his home. Mr. Bates was a native of Dermott and a resident of Hamburg for many years. He was a 1970 graduate of Portland High School, and he attended one year of college at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he learned how to swim. Mr. Bates was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard, where he served as a First Aid Attendant. He was a Hunter’s Education Instructor for 33 years and worked for Georgia-Pacific Paper Operations for 46 years. He had many jobs at Georgia-Pacific, the last of which was a Boiler Supervisor. Mr. Bates was a member of the Martinville Baptist Church. He was a very selfless man who loved to cook for family and friends, and enjoyed gardening, reading, fishing, and doing carpenter work in his shop.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Alvin “Hoot” & Helen Marie Gwin Bates.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Judy Dale Martin Bates of Hamburg; his daughters, Amie Bates Kielwasser and husband, Paul, of West Monroe, Louisiana and Haley Bates Birdyshaw and husband, Kris, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his brothers, Jimmy Wayne Bates of Hamburg and Byron Dale Bates and wife, Dianna, of Monticello; his sister, Donna Marie Watts and husband, Kevin, of Lake Village; four grandchildren, William Kielwasser, Helen Kielwasser, Georgie Kielwasser and Olivia Birdyshaw; two special grandchildren, Gwin Williams and Brittney Williams both of Rogers and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are 10 a.m., Monday, September 16, 2019, at the Martinville Baptist Church with Bro. Robin Allen and Bro. Keith Martin officiating. Burial will be in the Hamburg Cemetery. Pallbearers are Neil Martin, John Martin, Nick Martin, Barry Savage, Terry Martin, Brad Martin, Paul Gulledge, and Lyance Savage, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are John Johnson, Dave Harris, Bruce Towe, Darrell Daniels, Nathan Watts, William Watts, Wade Knight, Kyle Knight, Blake Martin, and Brian Martin. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

 Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.

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