World War II Veteran, Thomas H. Bates passed from this life on his 100 th birthday. Born June 9, 1925 in Centralia, Missouri, Thomas was one of three children of R. J. Bates, Sr. and Myrtle (Hughes) Bates. His father R.J. was a civil engineer and his mother, Myrtle, a homemaker. Tom graduated from Edmond High School, went off to war and, upon his return, graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1949 with a geology degree.
A proud member of "the Greatest Generation", Tom served bravely in the Philippines, earning both the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He married his first wife, Jeanne in 1950 and together they had two sons, Thomas E. Bates and Gary W. Bates. They enjoyed 30 years of marriage before her passing. His second marriage to Phyllis Owen ended with her death in December 2024.
Tom loved all OU sports, fishing at Lake Texoma's Alberta Creek, and took up golf at the age of 60. He played well into his 90s – and even had a hole-in-one on Kickingbird Golf Course at the age of 80. Most recently he was a Thunder basketball fan.
Tom reached the milestone birthday of 100 years and then passed peacefully on that very morning. He leaves behind a family who loved him dearly: Two sons – Thomas E. Bates and wife Marsha, Gary W. Bates and wife Marian. Five grandchildren – Brian Bates and wife Vickie, Emily Marsh and husband Hunter, Natalie Rychecky and husband Thom, Meredith Thornton and husband Charles, Brad Bates and wife Ashley and eight great grandchildren.
Tom leaves a legacy of courage, kindness and quiet dignity. He will be deeply missed.
A graveside service is scheduled at 3:00pm, Monday, June 16, 2025, at Gracelawn Cemetery.