Harold Bates, 77, of Lampasas died Sept. 25, 2022 in Lubbock.
Harold was born at Rollins Brook Hospital in Lampasas on Aug. 27, 1945 to William Denton Bates and Allynn Skeen Bates. He attended Lampasas and Liberty Hill schools before graduating from Leander High School.
In 1967, Harold married Charlotte Gaye Sebastian, and they celebrated almost 52 years of marriage.
Harold was a mechanic who worked at numerous auto dealerships and mechanic shops. He was also a millwright. After owning and operating Key Automotive in Lampasas, he worked at oil refineries along the Gulf Coast and abroad.
Mr. Bates was a member of Broad Street Church of Christ and was a faithful attendant until his health started failing. He enjoyed helping others. He was an EMT and volunteer firefighter in Lampasas as well as with other departments in the state.
Harold enjoyed boating with his family, anything related to guns and ammo, tinkering with electronics, and visiting with friends near and far on HAM radios.
He lived in Lubbock for the last six months and spent his final days with family, site-seeing, trying different restaurants, meeting new people and watching TV in his new recliner.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife.
Harold is survived by his daughter, Susan Carpenter (Ray) of Lubbock; son, Billy Bates (Tasha) of Lampasas; grandchildren Cabri Carpenter and Kelli Lankford (Clay), all of Lubbock, and Braden Bates, Corbin Bates, Wyatt Bates; great-grandson, Paxton Lankford; brother, Richard Bates (Shirley) of Lampasas; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family visitation will be on Sept. 30 from 6-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home in Lampasas.
The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 1 at First Street Church of Christ in Lampasas. Mr. Bates chose to be cremated.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
