Lugene Bates Sr.

Lugene made his entrance into this world on July 23, 1936 as the first son of Hargis and Virgie (Holbrook) Bates of Floyd County, Kentucky. As a young man, Lugene moved to Columbus, OH where he met his future bride, Joyce Sexton through mutual friends.

Joyce and Lugene were married on October 22, 1955 and had a son, Lugene Jr. and a daughter, Linda Diane.

Lugene supported his family through work as a purchasing agent and a facility manager. But that’s not who he was. He never met a stranger and made everyone feel seen, loved and welcomed. He was adored by family and friends, though he seldom called his nieces and nephews by their given name, preferring to give them pet names that became family history.

His grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of his life. Grandparents day at school, sporting events, school plays, music events. No matter what—he tried to be there for each and every one.

Lugene was a loving man full of fun and laughter. He leaves behind a wonderful family that will always remember the fun times he gave them and the example he set.

Lugene is survived by his son Lugene (Gene) Bates Jr., granddaughter Melissa Karling (Brian) Denton, great grandson Joshua Thomas Denton and great granddaughter Leila Ann Denton; granddaughter Laura Michelle (Nathan) Kempf. He is also survived by his daughter Linda Diane (Mark) Breymeyer, and grandson Matthew Allen Breymeyer and his very extended family.

Lugene is also survived by his sisters Martha June Rumery; Anna Marie Means; and brother Fred Wayne Osborne and their families, including many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Joyce, his mother, Virgie Holbrook Osborne, father, Hargis Bates, sister Mary Louise Bryant and brother Morgan Osborne. In addition, Joyce’s loving parents Delmar Sr & Drutha Sexton, and her siblings Eliza Jarrell, Mary Alice Lang, Lester Sexton, Delmar Jr., Donna Marie Woofter, Bertha Sue Bergman and Darwin Sexton. He was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Leisa Glenn Bates.

Services will be Saturday, December 23 at 11 AM at Bluebonnet Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034. If anyone would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, we ask that you contribute in dad’s honor to the American Lung Association, the leading organization focused on lung disease.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Bates family.