Timothy Harold Bates, longtime resident of Midland, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at the age of 76. The family will be accepting guests at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 18th, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Memorial services will be at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home on Thursday, February 19th, at 2:00pm.His wife, Helen E. (Ruff) Bates, preceded him in death by five months. While Alzheimer’s tried to take his sweetheart away slowly, he was her full time caregiver until the Lord took her home. They were married February 17, 1962.He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but was raised on a dairy farm in the Maryville, Tennessee area. His parents were Elva (DeMarcus) and David Franklin Bates. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Daniel E. Bates.Tim was the Service Department Manager for a small group of stores in west Texas, but it was Kmart where he joked about being a ‘blue light’ special. He was a lifelong mechanic and tinkerer; he loved to fix broken things. An avid outdoorsman, he loved to fish, hunt, and go camping with his family. During his illness, he was treated with love and kindness both at Midland Memorial Hospital and the Senior Care Center. We, as his family, would like to openly express our thanks and appreciation to all who cared for our Daddy, Pop, and Great-Grandpa. You were all such a tender blessing to him and to us.Tim is survived by a brother, E. David Bates of Albuquerque, NM; daughters, Sheryl Cowger, Vicki and husband, Terry Cargile, Pattie and husband, Terry Knighton, and Shanna Bates. His grandchildren are: Shannon Bates, Travis Cargile and fiancé, Kay-Anna Wright, Becca Knighton, Eric Knighton, and Ben Bates. He was also blessed with 3 great-grandchildren, Ayden, Alexander, and Kirra Bates.In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Home Hospice, http://www.homehospicewtx.com.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com. ,
