Friends and family say Doug Bates, 60, of Cookeville, will be remembered as a loving husband, hero father, compassionate son and encouraging friend. His obituary reads that he "peacefully went home to be with his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ Wednesday."
Well known as a business man, church leader, golfer, father, writer, advocate, family man and friend, Bates will be remembered well and by many. Services will be held at First Baptist Church Cookeville at 10am on Saturday with burial to follow with military honors following at Cookeville City Cemetery. Dr. Gerald Stow and Dr. Randall Adkisson will officiate.
His legacy includes his wife Debbie Kent Bates: daughter, Celeste Bates Gammon, Abby Bates Williams and Natalie Christine Bates. His grandchildren include: Grace Ann Gammon, Grant Gammon, Grady Gammon, Tyson Williams and Carson Williams.
His heritage includes his devoted mother, Mrs. Velma C. Bates, of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and the late James G. Bates. His sisters include Carol Edmondson of Ethridge, TN and Barbara Galloway of Columbus, IN.
Born in West Covina, California on December 5, 1948, Doug moved to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee where he grew up, met and married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Kent. He then served his country as a combat medic where he received the bronze star for outstanding service.
After returning from Vietnam, he received his B.S. and M.S. in Biology from Tennessee Technological University. He then owned and operated New Day Maintenance and Supply and attended First Baptist Church of Cookeville where he taught Sunday school, served as a deacon and worked with the singles ministry. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he fulfilled his life-long ambition and wrote a book entitled Circles Around the Sun about his experiences in the Vietnam War. During his latter years, he was an insurance salesman for Woodmen of the World.
Doug Bates’ passions revolved around his desire to please and serve his heavenly Father. He was constantly looking for an opportunity to share his faith with strangers or friends. He gave back to his community through Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club, and serving as a volunteer in the Cancer Center at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
His family was also at the center of his heart. He enjoyed listening to the giggles of his five grandchildren, kisses of his beautiful wife, and the embraces of his three girls. He loved the beach and playing golf with his buddies even through the pain of his illness. He was known to say, “Cancer may take my body, but it can’t take my joy.”
According to his family, "The last seven years as he bravely faced the slow deterioration of his health, he has continually blessed the medical professionals, his family and his friends with his optimism and love for life and his Lord. Those who know him cannot help but feel blessed that we experienced James Douglas Bates and feel the confidence that Doug is as intimate with God as he can be."
Donations in Doug’s honor can be made to Highland Rim Academy a classical Christian education school where his grandchildren attend (P.O. Box 3022, Cookeville, 38502) and/or to the City of Cookeville (P.O. Box 571, Cookeville, 38501) for a dedicated improvement in Dogwood Park.
Pallbearers will be golfing buddies at First Baptist Church.
If you wish to purchase a copy of Circles Around the Sun you can contact the New Day Office at 931-537-6777. All proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to First Baptist Church Children's Ministry for new playground equipment.
Said Doug of his final days "I always thought it would be odd to be gravely ill and in a room full of people watching your bodily functions....but I find it gratifying and edifying that this many people care...and want to share life with you regardless of its quality."
His advice to us? "Celebrate the little things. There are a lot more of those."
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