Larry Bates

Larry Weldon Bates, 69, of Frost went to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, February 15, 2018, in a DeSoto hospital. His family will host a memorial graveside service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Frost Cemetery.

Born July 25, 1948 in Canyon, he was the son of Weldon Monroe and Winford Louise (Price) Bates. He graduated from White Deer High School and went on to join the United States Navy in July of 1970. After the Navy, Larry graduated with a Master’s Degree from West Texas State University, now West Texas A&M. Following in his parent’s footsteps, he became a teacher and coach. Larry met his wife of 35 years, Janice Lindsey in 1981 and they married on November 19, 1982.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two grandsons, Chase and Brayden.

Survivors include his wife, Janice Bates; five children, Michelle Jonas and husband, Bill, Mark Bates and wife, Lindsey, Matthew Bates and wife, Stacy, Jennifer Meskimen and husband, Alpha, and Larry Bates, Jr. and fiancé, Michelle; brother, Bill Bates; two sisters, Sue Bates and Tammy Brooks; and 18 grandchildren.