Source: http://techetoday.com/view/full_story/8425782/article-Marcus-Bates--Jr-

Marcus Bates, Jr.

SULPHUR -- Funeral arrangements for Mr. Marcus Bates, Jr., 90, of Sulphur, will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2009 in Robison Funeral Home Chapel. Dr. David Holder will officiate. Burial will follow in Mimosa Pines Cemetery, Carlyss.

Visitation will begin on Sunday, February 15, 2009 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. and continue on Monday, February 16, 2009 from 8 a.m. until time of services. Mr. Bates passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2009 in Sulphur surrounded by his family.

Marcus Edward Bates, Jr. was born on February 12, 1919 in Troupe, Texas. He was a life long resident of Sulphur for over 60 years. Mr. Bates served on the Board of Commissioners at the Sulphur Housing Authority for many years, serving over 20 years as Chairman of the Board, he was honored upon his retirement there in 1997 by having a section of the complex named ``Bates Manor'' for his many years of dedicated service, he also served on the Board of Directors and worked as a volunteer for several years at Care Help of Sulphur. Mr. Bates was a longtime member of Sulphur First Baptist Church where he served as an usher and greeter for many years. Mr. Bates was active for many years in the Masonic Lodge, The Scottish Rite, and he was a Shriner, where he served on the Shriners ``Train Crew'' for several years. Mr. Bates enjoyed working in his garden, serving people in need, and he never met a stranger.

Mr. Bates worked for the Firestone Refinery and also at the Hammer Funeral Home in Sulphur in the 1950's, where he assisted in the recovery effort after Hurricane Audrey in 1957. Mr. Bates was the co-owner of an auto dealership in Sulphur in the 1960's. He helped with the opening and start up the Davison Chemical/W.R. Grace & Co. plant in Carlyss and retired there as an ``A'' Operator after 28 years of service, he was a member of the international Union Of Operating Engineers.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Sulphur, 401 S. Huntington Street, or the charity of your choice.

Helen Gregory Bates, his loving wife of 58 years preceded him in death in October 2002; as did his brother, William W. ``Bill'' Bates in 1995.

Siblings, Evelyn Gloriso of Vidor, Texas; A.L. Bates of Beaumont, Texas; Bobbie Jean Davis of Jasper, Texas; Faye Woody of Indiana.

Children, two daughters, Linda K. Richard and husband Kenneth of Crowley and Melva A. ``Sissy'' Armer and husband Herman of Sulphur; son, Gregory M. Bates and wife Beverly of Sulphur; three grandchildren, Traci Armer Vinson of Haslet, Texas, Ross B. Armer of Sulphur, and Angela Richard Hanna of Crowley; and five great-grandchildren.