Ray Bates, age 59, of Northern Archer County, passed away Thursday morning, June 27, 2024 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2024 at Evangel Church in Wichita Falls, with Pastor Kile Bateman officiating. Interment will follow in the Archer City Cemetery under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Archer City.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Aulds Funeral Home of Archer City.

Ray was born July 29, 1964 in Plainview, Texas to Bobby Wayne Bates and Patsy Jean Smith Bates.

He was a 1982 graduate of Archer City High School.

Ray and Donna Akers were married June 21, 1986 in Wichita Falls, Texas.

He worked in the family business, Bates Concrete Construction, for forty years, where he was currently President.  He loved working alongside his family.

Ray had a special love for Ford vehicles, especially his Mustang.  He enjoyed drag racing.  Ray was a longtime and very active member of Evangel Church in Wichita Falls, where he served in various leadership positions for thirty years.  He was also very active in Phased IN, a program for foster children who have aged out of the foster system.

Above all, Ray's family was the most important thing in his life, besides God.  He was an amazing husband, father, Pops to seven wonderful grandchildren, son, brother, uncle and friend who will be missed dearly by all who had the honor to know him.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Bates of Northern Archer County; his father, Bob Bates and wife, Sandie of Holliday; three sons. Justin Bates and wife, Kaitlin of Wichita Falls, Hayden Bates and wife, Andrea of Burkburnett and Reagan Bates and wife, Grayson of Wichita Falls; seven grandchildren, Parker, Cole, Jace, Beau, Bryce, Cade and Hattie; one brother, Gary Bates and wife, Gretchen of Wichita Falls; one sister, Laci Childery and husband, Lee of Strawn, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Patsy Bates.

The family suggests memorials to The Phased IN Project, P.O. Box 3647, Wichita Falls, Texas 76301 or Rathgeber Hospitality House, 1615 12th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas 76301.