Donnie Lee Bates October 29, 1936 – April 21, 2026

Donnie Lee Bates, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

He was born on October 29, 1936, in Randolph County, Missouri, to Otis Orville Bates and Nellie Berthenia Bates.

During his working years, Donnie was a skilled electrician. He was employed by Raines Electric, where he helped wire the Kraft Foods facility in Garland, Texas. He later worked for CPC International, manufacturers of Skippy Peanut Butter, Mazola Margarine, and Hellmann's Mayonnaise. When CPC relocated to Arkansas, Donnie returned to work with Kraft Foods, bringing his career full circle.

After 30 years at Kraft Foods, Donnie and his wife, Sue, set out on the retirement trip of their dreams. In their fifth wheel—his home away from home—hitched to their Dodge Ram, they traveled across the United States, visiting all but five states. Alaska held a special place in his heart; they made the journey three times, including one trip that took them all the way to the North Pole.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna Jones of Carrollton, Texas; his son, Richard Bates of Nacogdoches, Texas; and his stepchildren, Raina Crawford of Alvarado, Texas, and Jimmy Bishop of Palmer, Texas. He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren and one on the way.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ila Sue Bates; his sons, Michael Bates and Timothy Bates; and his grandson, Donald Coffman Jr.

Donnie's life will be honored and remembered by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel in Palmer. Interment will follow in the Palmer Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.

Submitted by family