David Bates, who resided in Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2015 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born August 10, 1937 in Peno, Oklahoma to the late Aaron Marvin Bates and Colla Etta (Studebaker) Bates. He was 77 years old. He was also preceded in death by his son, Ricky Bates and a great-grandchild, Hadleigh.

David retired from Baldor Electric Company in Fort Smith and was a member of Lavaca First Baptist Church.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 6th, at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with the Rev. Bob Whittaker officiating. Burial will be at Parks Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Wanda Louise (Rowe) Bates; three daughters, Debbie Chandler and husband Allen of Van Buren, Rhonda Martin and husband Jimmy Don of Charleston and Kim Kincy and husband Danny of Lavaca; two sons, Ron Bates and wife Claudia of Charleston and Danny Bates and wife Vicki of Russellville; one daughter-in-law, Roxanne Bates of Charleston; twelve grandchildren, Wes Powell, Jacob Bates, Blake Bates, Samantha Branson, Hillary Palacios, Daniel Bates, Rustin Bates, Justin Bates, Jesse Martin, Shelby Martin, Lindsay Sayasane, and Chase Martin; and eight great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Wes Powell, Jacob Bates, Blake Bates, Rustin Bates, Justin Bates, Jesse Martin, Jordan Branson, and Chase Martin.

Family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.