Marvin Leroy Bates

It is with great sadness that the Bates family announces the death of Marvin Leroy Bates, 80, who died on September 19, 2023.

Marv was born on May 29, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas, son of the late Spain and Willa Bates. He was married to the love of his life, Vicki, for 54 years. His family was the most important thing in his life. He cherished his two children, Wendi and Brian. He felt very honored to have Jessica, his daughter-in-law and Dale, his son-in-law, as part of his family. His three grandchildren, Grayson, Journey and Ella, were the light of his eyes whom he treasured.

Marv is survived by his spouse, Vicki, his daughter and son-in-law, Wendi Bates and Dale Pilcher, his son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Jessica Bates, and three grandchildren, Grayson, Journey and Ella. He was preceded in death by his parents, Spain and Willa Bates and his brother, Gerald Bates.

He attended Lamar University, which was located in Beaumont, Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a minor in psychology. He graduated with his Master’s Degree of Social Work from the Graduate School of Social Work from the University of Denver which was located in Denver, Colorado.

Marv served in the army and attended the Military Police Training School located in Ft. Gordan, Florida. Upon completion, Marv was stationed at Ft. Meyer Army base located in Virginia as well as an assignment in Germany. He received his honorable discharge in 1969.

As a clinical social worker, Marv worked for the Texas Department of Child Protective Services in both Dallas and Ft. Worth, the Dallas County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center, was a consultant for halfway houses for mentally disabled adults and a case worker for a mental health lodge program. Marv held the position of Director of Social Work at Millwood Psychiatric Hospital in Arlington, Texas. In 1989, he started his private practice treating clients that were dealing with depression, anxiety, abuse, survivors of abuse, children, and families with various issues.

In addition, Marv was a part time adjunct assistant professor at the North Lake Community College campus located in Irving, Texas, where he taught Sociology of Human Relation classes. In 1989, he was a part time adjunct assistant professor in the graduate School of Social Work at the University of Texas located in Arlington, Texas. He taught a variety of classes in the area of clinical social work.

Marv was a lifelong Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, adventuring out to discover new restaurants, and action and military dramas were his favorite movies. For relaxing, he enjoyed challenging crossword puzzles, reading Tom Clancy and W.E.B. Griffin novels, playing cards games and watching his favorite T.V. shows- NCIS, Bob Ross and This Old House. Marv had the “gift of gab,” telling family stories and above all, sharing his puns. But his all-time favorite activity was picking up his grandchildren after school, taking them out to eat or treating them to Sugar Fridays.

The memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, September 27th at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel located at 904 E. Shawntel Smith Blvd., Muldrow, Oklahoma, followed by an internment at 11 AM at the Ft. Smith National Cemetery located at 522 Garland Ave., Ft. Smith, Arkansas. After the interment, family and friends are welcome to gather for a light lunch at the Junior League of Ft. Smith located at 311 Garrison Ave., Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Marvin L. Bates to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) which provides extensive mental and physical wellness programs for military and their families or your favorite charity of choice.