Harley Dwayne Bates

Harley Dwayne Bates, 74, of Bartlesville, died Thursday in Bartlesville the town he grew up in and returned to. Harley loved the Lord and was his usual happy self even through his short battle with cancer. Harley was born the youngest child of Ross Mahan and Millie Dallas (Henson) Bates on November 19, 1947, in Maysville, AR - the only one of his siblings to be born in a hospital. The family moved to Bartlesville where Harley formed a passion for all things mechanical, especially cars and motorcycles. Being the baby of the family, Harley enjoyed being with and experiencing activities with his six older siblings. They shaped his future and outlook on life, and he loved them dearly. After graduating from College High in 1967, Harley was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War as a mechanic. He was resourceful and found solutions for broken equipment to promptly get them back into service. Once honorably discharged, he returned home and worked at the smelters. While visiting family in Florida, he met and fell in love with Sheri Thomas. They married and Harley’s brothers encouraged him to work with them at NASA. His title may have been mechanic, but he did so much more: rebuilding rocket boosters, helping to transport the space shuttle to the launch pad, and, some would say, taking naps. For his service to our nation, Harley received an award from NASA. Once retired they moved back to Bartlesville. Retirement gave him more free time to be dedicated to his daily routine: breakfast at McDonalds, bible study, and taking regular naps which were high priority. Harley collected and worked on his classic cars and motorcycles. He had so many projects going on at the same time that he leaves behind many unfinished projects, far too many to mention. Harley was never tired of spending time with his sweetheart Sheri. Together, they had raised their daughter, Shelly. In their free time, they enjoyed attending car shows and hitting up garage sales. Truth be told, Harley bought the big stuff compared to Sheri’s small trinkets, and he was always looking for a deal. The kids recall fondly that when they were young, they took fun rides on his motorcycle, oftentimes not one, or two, but 3 of them with Harley at the same time. To know Harley was to love him and he was well-loved. He was always happy and ready to help anybody and everybody. He was a member of Spruce Avenue Missionary Baptist Church. Most of all, he loved his church family and cherished his family. Harley will be dearly missed. Special thanks to Comforting Hands Hospice and nurses Dawn and Tiffany, his VA nurse Laura, and many other special friends, too many to list but who all made his life and years happier. Harley is survived by his loving wife Sheri of 38 years; children Shelly Bates, Angela Bates, Wesley (Shelly) Bates and Basil Bates; sister Lois (Ellis) Stephens; seven grandchildren, Chase, Jarren, Tyler, Bethany, Marshall, Wyatt and Gera; and three great grandchildren Brixley, Ella and Crew. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Michael, Bill, Nick, Jack and Ronnie. Harley’s family will receive friends at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 918-333-7665, 4201 Nowata Rd, Bartlesville, on Wednesday, from 6-8 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday from 10-8, In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Spruce Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, PO BOX 3112, Bartlesville, OK 74005. Services will be held 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel with Brother Randy Bettis officiating. Interment will follow in the Spavinaw-Strang Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Harley Dwayne Bates

November 19, 1947 - September 1, 2022