Raymond Kerry Bates

Raymond Kerry Bates, age 74, of Lincoln, passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Raymond was born January 25, 1947 to Thedoor and Rebecca Bates. Raymond is survived by his children, Pam (Josh) Boldt, David Bates, Becky Crowe; siblings, Randy Bates, Denise Meyers, Cindy Yates, Cory Powell; grandchildren, MaKenna Launer, Racheal Bates, Molly Bates, Breana Baughman, Camora Schamber, Darma Boldt; 2 great-grandchildren, Emersyn, Cameryn; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A visitation for Raymond will be held Monday, May 17, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St. Lincoln, Nebraska 68512. A celebration of life will occur Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM, 6800 S 14th St., Lincoln, Nebraska 68512. Masks and social distancing is required.

In Raymond's early years he learn to play Monopoly and he and his friends would have a summer long on going game. He kept that tradition alive teaching his kids to play. Raymond also had fond memories of hunting with his family and friends. As a young man Raymond had a few different jobs, thing like paper route, helped on the garbage route and working with a printing press.

As a Man right out of high school he join the Navy, thinking maybe he would be on safe on a ship. That did not work out for him he showed interest in the medical field so he became a Corps man, and served with the Marines. Raymond served one tour of duty in Vietnam 1967-68. After his navy career he was in the navy reserve, for a total of 12of service. When in the reserves he worked his way through college at NNC Northwest Nazarene College and went on to be a social worker for the state of Idaho.

Religion was a big part of his life, he was a member of the First church of the Nazarene, teaching kid’s bible school. He even drove the church bus for his church when on leave from the Navy.

Later in life Raymond married and divorced, but never once did he miss a child support payment and always helped is children out whenever he could. He went so far as to move back to his home state of Nebraska to be closer to them.

After moving to Nebraska he worked for Lomar as a house manager for the mentality challenged and later even turned his own home into a group home.

In retirement he enjoyed Husker football, collecting stamps and coins. Raymond also enjoyed writing, something he did his whole life be it the letters he wrote whale in Vietnam or to family or just sending a short message to a friend. Raymond joined a veteran writing group where he wrote short stories and even had one published. He was also a member of a vet group he lovingly referred to as "The Guys". All in all he was a good man that lived a good life he will be missed.