James W. Bates, 84, passed peacefully on Thursday, December 21, 2023 in Calera, Okla. James was born in Bennington, Okla., to L.C. Gardner and Juanita (Kennon) and Johnnie C. Bates. James graduated from Blue High School in 1957 and joined the United States Army and served until May 1963. He married Shirley Jones on September 29, 1959 in Durant, Okla.
He owned B & B Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal in Durant until going to work for Kiamichi Technology Center where he retired.
He is survived by wife, Shirley, Blue; daughters, Rhonda of Caney, Janice (Tracy) of Atoka, and Susan (Jerry) of Blue; granddaughter Brandy (Michael) of Caddo; great grandchildren Harleigh, Tripton, Jake and Easton of Caddo; sisters Joan Powell, Sue Foster, Brenda Harlin, Betty Gonzales, Diane Simpson, Linda Wetzel, and sister-in-law Carolyn Bates; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded him in death are parents, L.C. Gardner, Juanita and Louis Switzer, and Johnnie C. Bates; brothers, Charles Bates, Randy Switzer, and Rickey Switzer; and sister Dorothy Williams.
Family Hour will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, December 22, 2023 at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant., Okla. Services will be 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home. James will be laid to rest in Bokchito Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Russell, Michael Green, Wesley Cook, James Cook (honorary), Jameson Duvall, David Jones, and Steven Jones.
Special thanks to Tia and staff at Guardian Hospice and Calera Manor Nursing Home.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, 121 N. Fifth Ave. in Durant, Okla.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com