1959
Bobby
2021
Bobby Ray Bates
June 11, 1959 — March 1, 2021
Bobby Ray Bates, 61, died Monday, March 1, 2021, in Sioux City, IA.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Sioux City.
Bobby Ray Bates, the son of Sim Jr. and Margaret Jean (Johnson) Bates was born June 11, 1959, in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from West High in Sioux City in 1978. Bobby then enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served many honorable years.
After his discharge, Bobby returned to Sioux City and went to work for John Morrell & Co. for many years. When the plant closed, he held various laborer jobs in the Sioux City area. Bobby later went into business for himself, doing carpentry, construction, and landscaping.
Bobby was also very passionate about boxing and excelled at the sport. On one occasion he was able to train with Tony Drake a famous boxer.
Bobby was very active in Mount Zion Baptist Church where he served the Lord in every way possible including helping with their food drives, singing in the choir and even at one point taking on a deacon role. He volunteered at the Gospel Mission, local food pantry and was active in the community.
The outpouring of stories shared by friends, family and acquaintances of Bobby’s proves how much he meant to so many people.
He was selfless, a man of understanding, of pain and of forgiveness. He was not perfect and lived his life in an untraditional manner but it didn’t change the fact that Bobby knew and loved the lord for these reasons he is now free!
Bobby is survived by five children; 13 grandchildren; siblings, Debra Ann Bates of Houston, TX and Robert “Bobo” Bates of Sioux City; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an uncle, Willie Earl Rucker.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Sioux City.
Bobby Ray Bates, the son of Sim Jr. and Margaret Jean (Johnson) Bates was born June 11, 1959, in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from West High in Sioux City in 1978. Bobby then enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served many honorable years.
After his discharge, Bobby returned to Sioux City and went to work for John Morrell & Co. for many years. When the plant closed, he held various laborer jobs in the Sioux City area. Bobby later went into business for himself, doing carpentry, construction, and landscaping.
Bobby was also very passionate about boxing and excelled at the sport. On one occasion he was able to train with Tony Drake a famous boxer.
Bobby was very active in Mount Zion Baptist Church where he served the Lord in every way possible including helping with their food drives, singing in the choir and even at one point taking on a deacon role. He volunteered at the Gospel Mission, local food pantry and was active in the community.
The outpouring of stories shared by friends, family and acquaintances of Bobby’s proves how much he meant to so many people.
He was selfless, a man of understanding, of pain and of forgiveness. He was not perfect and lived his life in an untraditional manner but it didn’t change the fact that Bobby knew and loved the lord for these reasons he is now free!
Bobby is survived by five children; 13 grandchildren; siblings, Debra Ann Bates of Houston, TX and Robert “Bobo” Bates of Sioux City; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an uncle, Willie Earl Rucker.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bobby Ray Bates, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Starts at 3:00 pm (Eastern time)
Mount Zion Baptist Church
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