Thomas Bates

Thomas Eugene (Papa Tom) Bates, 69, of Mansfield, Arkansas passed from this life Wednesday, March 16, 2011 in a Fort Smith Hospital. Thomas was born on October 29, 1941 in Barber, Arkansas to the late Gene and Edith (Allen) Bates. He loved to hunt, camp and watch old westerns. He was a diesel mechanic and was a Master Mason and member of the Lynch Prairie Lodge #568 F&AM. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Ronna Bates, one daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Glen "Zipper" Rupe, all of Mansfield; two sisters and brother-in-laws, Treva and Ralph Coffee, Lucille and Donald Carpenter, all of Waldron; two brothers, Bo Bates and wife Belinda of Arkoma, OK, and Scotty Bates of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Heather Raven Grant, Michael Smith, Thomas Bates, and Sarah Bates; two great grandchildren: Natalie Brewer and Aaron Brewer; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn Bates and his parents Gene and Edith Bates. Thomas?s funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Larry Free, officiating. Interment will follow in the Freedom Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas. Thomas?s pallbearers will be Cody Carpenter, Gary Bates, Casey Grant, Stephen Steele, Bob Caldwell, Wilson Kennedy, Tim Coffey, and Billy Bates. Thomas?s visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2011 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home where his family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.