Lester Bates, son of the late Arlo and Edith (Cunningham) Bates, was born Feb. 18, 1943, in Tulsa, Okla., and passed away Sep. 26, 2020, at Mercy in Springfield. He was 77 years, 7 months and 8 days of age. Lester lived his early years in Raton, N.M. When his family moved to Missouri, he went to elementary school at Long Valley School and graduated from Plato High School. After graduation, he joined the United States Army and served a year in Korea. He married Venita Kimrey on Aug. 7, 1964. Two children were born to this union, James and Penny. They were married for 52 years before she passed away. Lester worked civil service in the motor pool at Fort Leonard Wood. After retiring, he didn’t stop working. He was a contract carrier for the postal service and he and Venita delivered mail for many years. In his spare time, he loved cutting wood and working on wood crafts. He was also involved with the Huggins Fire Department for many years. One of Lester’s greatest joys was his grandchildren. He will be missed by all his family and friends. Besides his parents and his wife, Venita, Lester was preceded in death by one brother, Leroy Bates, and one sister, Gaylene Morehouse. He is survived by his son, James Bates and his wife, Carla, of Huggins; his daughter, Penny Cornelison, of Huggins; five grandchildren, Stephanie Amos and her husband, Josh; Ryan Bates; Erin Malley and her husband, Dylan; Amber Hildebrand; and Whitney Cornelison; four great-grandchildren, Hannah Curtis, Isaac Amos, Lukas Cornelison and Phoenix Hildebrand; and many other relatives and friends. Memorial services and burial for Lester Bates will be held at a later date. Cremation was under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Burial will be in Dutch Chapel Cemetery, Lynchburg, Missouri. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
