Mr. Bob Bates, age 68, of Mancos, CO and Red Oak, TX passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2004 in Durango, CO. Mr. Bates was born on March 12, 1936 in Palmer. He graduated from Palmer High School in 1952. He attended Paris Junior College. He retired from H.B. Fuller Co. in 1991. He was an avid sportsman and past president of the Dallas Safari Club. He traveled extensively including hunting trips to Canada and Alaska and safaris in Africa. Mr. Bates loved traveling in his RV with his wife and two shelties. He enjoyed gospel music, Colorado scenery and visiting with friends. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mancos, CO. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 27 years; a son and his wife, Bobby and Karen Bates of Valley View, TX; two daughters, Karen and her husband, Tim Carns of Phoenix, AZ and Linda Bates of Valencia, CA; a step-daughter and her husband, Paige and Bill Frome of Richardson, TX; 9 grandchildren, Sheena and Josh Bates, Angelia, Nicholas and Tara Pacheco, Caleb, Hannah, Rebecca and Noah Frome; 4 great grandchildren, James, Justin, Damiann and Alexander; and his mother-in-law, Mary Gillespie of Avalon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Meady Bates and a brother, Darrell Bates. The family wishes to express their gratitude to their many close friends and family who offered their support and prayers through his recent illness. They are especially grateful to his lifelong friends, Glynn and Virginia Cleveland of Waxahachie. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Palmer First Baptist Church with Dr. Bobby Adams officiating. Interment will be in the Palmer Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary. Pallbearers will be Glynn Cleveland, W.C. "Dub" Nelson, Buddy Monahan, Ralph Walker, Bill Brown and James Ellis Wilson. The family will receive friends at the Keever Mortuary in Ennis from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. A memorial service will be held in Mancos, CO at a later date.