John Paul Bates, 84, formerly of Montell, died on Sept. 6, 2016, at his Uvalde residence. He was born on Oct. 27, 1931, in Vance to Gussie Lee (Burleson) and Jess Bates. Bates started school in Brackettville, where his father was the principal. He continued his education in Batesville and Uvalde, before moving to Bishop for his senior year. The family says it was there that he met his first wife, Joyce Haralson, when they were selected favorite boy and girl for the year. After graduating high school in 1949, he enrolled at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, but then enlisted in the U.S Air Force during the Korean War. He and Joyce married before he was sent to Scotland as a cryptologist for the military, where the family says his work involved intercepting and deciphering messages in a classified setting. After completion of his four-year term in the military, the couple returned to Bishop, where he re-enrolled at Texas A&I University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology. He later received a Master of Business degree from the University of Houston, and a doctorate from California Coast University in Santa Ana, California, in addition to performing post-graduate work at Colorado State University and North Texas State University. Bates worked as a public school educator, then moved to the college level in 1961 when he accepted a position with Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde. He taught business and data processing courses, becoming chairman of the business administration department. He moved to North Texas State University in 1963 as an assistant professor of marketing and systems, then embarked on a career at Southern Methodist University as a professor of business administration; chairman of the marketing, management science and computer departments; and director of the Institute of Retailing from 1967-1980. After leaving SMU, Bates served as president and chief executive officer of Alert Systems, Inc, and as general manager of Uvalde Title Company. He then worked at Sul Ross State Study Center in Uvalde from 1984 to 1990 as chairman of the business administration department. He was a consultant with the Universidad Autónoma de La Laguna in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, and Chamber of Commerce director in Vernon. The family says while in Vernon, he headed a consortium of business leaders from Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico, promoting trade between the three entities. According to the family, Bates was a highly respected educator and business consultant who forged lasting relationships and friendships with people in all fields. They say he found great joy in his retirement, enjoying his morning coffee with the “guys at Mary’s”; dominoes at men’s night out events and the 74 Club, the Montell Country Club; and bridge in several bridge clubs and later at the adult activity center, now the Herby Ham Activity Center in Uvalde. He met his second wife, Mary Helen Diaz, in 2010 at one of the weekly western dances at the activity center, and his family says he was witty, charming and persistent, proving that love can happen again. The couple would have celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary next month. The family says his death left a void in their hearts and they relish the hope of one day seeing his huge smile and handsome face, and getting a big hug again. He is survived by his second wife, of Uvalde; two sons, John Paul Bates Jr. of Montell, and Jay Bates and wife, Monica, of Kyle; two brothers, Billy Joe Bates and wife, Jan, of Seguin, and Dan Bates and wife, Ruth, of San Antonio; one stepdaughter, Jo Ann Arthur and husband, Rick, of Marion; one step granddaughter, Lauren Emily Flores of Marion; two cousins, Max Burleson and wife, Lois, of Spring Branch, and John David Hicks and wife, Barbara, of Montell; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. A celebration of life was held for family and friends at the First Baptist Church of Camp Wood on Sept. 9, 2016, followed by interment at the Montell Cemetery. The Rev. J.R. Rollins officiated.
FUNERAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY NELSON FUNERAL HOMES OF CAMP WOOD.
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