James Junior Bates

Services for James Junior Bates, 88, of Myrtle Springs, are scheduled for 2 pm Sunday, November 27, 2016, at the Eubank Funeral Chapel in Canton with Bro. Brandon Bachtel and Bro. Homer Morgan officiating. Interment will be in Haven of Memories.

Mr. Bates passed away November 25, 2016, in Tyler. He was born February 3, 1928 in Grand Saline, TX to James Isaac and Georgia Marie Woodall Bates.

Junior was a member of the Good Hope Baptist. He lived in Myrtle Springs his whole life. After serving in the US Army, Junior became a carpenter, farmer and rancher. He loved hunting, fishing, dancing, baseball and football. Junior loved his family and had a full life with lots of Friends.

Mr. Bates is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Verline Bates; son, Jimmy Lee Bates; and sister, Edith “Dude” Wilson.

Junior is survived by his son, Kenneth and Susan Bates of Myrtle Springs; daughter, Myrlas and James Bateman of Myrtle Springs; 6 grandchildren: Andrea and Paul Faries, Michelle and Matt Petrey, Karen and Kevin Pickens, Amy and Chris Rhodes, Katari and John Merrifield and Jay Bo and Amber Bateman; 19 great-grandchildren; fiancé, Sandra Hurley; brother-in-law, Horace Lee Bates; and sister-in-law, Joyce Ann Burgin.

Pallbearers will be Louis Willoughby, Joe Drake, Michael Wilson, James Wilson, Don Baugh and Bobby Stringer. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Martinez, Jordan Davison, Mason Lewis, Cooper Stone, Jayden Morgan and Brayden Allen.

Visitation will be 6-8 pm Saturday at the funeral home. The online guestbook may be signed at www.eubanfh.com .