Donald George Bates

Funeral services for Donald George Bates will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, October 12, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Jared Tucher officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post #42 and VFW. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 11, 2012 at Gillette Memorial Chapel.Don Bates, age 84, of Gillette, Wyoming died of natural causes on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends.Donald was born November 9, 1927 in Gillette, Wyoming. He was raised and educated in Gillette. In 1945, Don entered the military serving in the United States Army during WWII in Germany. He married Elsie Mary Olsen on April 7, 1950 in Harden, Montana. Shortly after the couple married Don, was called back into the service, serving in, Fort Eustis, Virginia and Korea. During this time the couple had their first child, Donna. After Don's honorable discharge the family returned to Gillette where their second child Donald David was born. The family lived in different towns throughout the state where Don worked at various jobs, providing for the family. Don and Elsie's family was complete with the adoption of their third child Gail. The family then made their home in Gillette when Don began working at Wyodak in 1958. The family moved to Sheridan in 1976, where he worked for Big Horn Coal until 1993 when he was diagnosed with cancer and the family returned to Gillette. Don was a lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and NRA. He enjoyed hunting, camping and traveling. He enjoyed singing and was a self-taught guitar player at a very young age, playing for his family, singing in church choir and most recently at the senior center. Donald is survived by him daughters: Donna (James) Foster of Gillette, Wyoming and Gail (Andrew) Layden of Elizabeth, Colorado; brother, Scott John Bates of Lead, South Dakota; 7 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elsie; son, Donald as well as his brothers: Dick Bates and Jim Bates.Memorials are suggested to benefit the American Cancer Society of Wyoming, Gillette Relay For Life team 29. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Don's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716