Ricky Dale Bates resided in Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2011 due to a tree cutting accident in Charleston. He was born August 27, 1959 in Fort Smith to David & Wanda (Rowe) Bates. He was 51 years old.

Ricky was a Quality Assurance Technician for Baldor Electric Company in Fort Smith. He was a 1978 graduate of Charleston High School, member of the Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Charleston. He was also a member of the Heart of the Ozarks Poultry Association, exhibiting poultry breeds, especially Rhode Island Reds.

Ricky loved the outdoors, hunting, & fishing. He loved car racing, especially #24, Jeff Gordon. Most of all he loved his family and his church.

Rosary service will be 6:00 p.m. Monday, February 21st at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston.

Funeral Mass will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 22nd at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Charleston. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife, Roxanne of the home; three sons, Jacob Bates & wife DeShea, Blake Bates & wife Erica, and Rustin Bates, all of Charleston; his father & mother, David & Wanda Bates of Charleston; three sisters, Debbie Chandler & husband Allen of Van Buren, Rhonda Martin & husband Jimmy Don of Charleston, and Kim Kincy & husband Danny of Lavaca; two brothers, Ronald Bates & wife Claudia of Charleston and Danny Bates & wife Vicki of Russellville; one grandson, Brayden Bates.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Reynolds, Randy Blaschke, Tim Blaschke, Greg Wewers, David Wewers, and Ricky Bangs.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the 1977 & 1978 Charleston High School Football Team.

Family will visit with friends following the Rosary service Monday night at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ricky Bates Memorial Fund @ Simmons First National Bank.

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