Adrian Bates

Services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, March 19 at the First Baptist Church in Happy with Rev. Paul McQuerry, pastor, ans Rev. Bob Miller, pastor of South Georgia Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulia. Adrian D. Bates was born January 19, 1926 in Happy, Texas to Homer and Allie Smith Bates. He married Wanda Moore at Clovis, New Mexico on November 2, 1950. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943, and when he discharged in 1945 he was ranked as a 3rd Class Machinest Mate. He earned three battle stars while serving in WWII. Adrian was the meat cutter and manager of Sexton Grocery in Happy for eighteen years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Happy, where he served as a Deacon, Trustee, Adult Sunday School Supt., and Sunday School teacher. He was past President of the Tulia Jaycees and Man of the Year in 1967. Adrian was also a member of the Happy Jaycees and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Tulia. He served 5 years on the Happy City Council and the Swisher County Board of Directors, he also volunteered for Meals On Wheels for 14 years. He was a good husband, father, and Pa-pa, who lived and died in the faith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda; granddaughter, Melissa Diane; and a brother, Troy L. Bates. Survivors include two daughters, Peggy Jo Johnson and husband, Tom, of Waco, Kathy Cumby and husband, Andrew, of Happy; sister, Naomi Finck, of Tulia; three grandaughters, Julie Stewart, Andria Tucker, and Jaci McCarty; grandson, Ben Johnson; seven great grandchildren; three nieces; and six nephews. The family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church of Happy, P.O. Box 95, Happy, TX 79042 or to the Happy Fire Department, P.O. Box 216, Happy, TX 79042.