Eugene Clarence Bates

Eugene “Gene” Bates, 86, of Fort Smith, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025. He was born October 23, 1938 in Indianapolis to the late Clarence and Bertha (Treichel) Bates, Jr. He was a farmer, and a worship leader at Maranatha Fellowship in Fort Smith. He served his country in the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Bates of the home; four daughters, Doty Allen of Fort Smith, and Heather Young of Kankakee, IL, Tara K. King of Mansfield and Amy Minden of Mansfield; two sons, Tyrun Bates of Moro, AR and Todd O’Donnell of Fort Smith; two sisters, Marilyn Pyle of Sedona, AZ, and Phyllis Nordquist of Camarillo, CA; eighteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Family-hosted memorial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Hope Fellowship Church in Fort Smith. Cremation is under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.