Arthur Ivan Bates, age 88, passed away August 11, 2014 at North Eastern Montana Health Services in Wolf Point, Montana.
Art was born on May 18, 1926 in Maxwell, California to Arthur and Evelyn (Bakken) Bates. He grew up in California until he was 12. In 1938 he moved with his parents and sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Bates Long to a farm south of Wolf Point.
Art met the love of his life, Mary Lingle, at a country school dance on Prairie Elk. They were united in marriage on April 16, 1950 at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. To this union four children were born: Ralph, Leona, Arthur, and Susie. He raised his family on a small farm south of Wolf Point until 1972 when they moved to Slatsville, east of Wolf Point.
During his early years, Art worked for his neighbor building dams and working cattle. He roped many calves at branding in the spring. He worked for McCone County for 13 years and hauled grain and livestock for neighbors. In 1970 he bought his first semi. He hauled rodeo stock for Marvin Brookman for 30 plus years. He worked gates at the rodeos until he was asked to retire.
Art had to retire in 2003 after suffering a stroke. As a hobby he started collecting remote control trucks and dirt moving equipment.
Art will be remembered for his willingness to help others, his arriving at least one hour early for any job, (this included taking his kids to school) and his many stories he shared about breaking horses, trailing cattle to Circle, and the many rodeos he attended.
The family would like to thank the staff at North Eastern Montana Health Services in Poplar and Wolf Point for the care they gave to him, as well as to Dr. Zilkoski, Judy Lauridsen, and staff at Faith Lutheran Home where he resided for the last year.
Art is survived by his wife of 64 years Mary of Wolf Point, sons Ralph (Vonnie) Bates, Arthur (Bev) Bates of Wolf Point, Leona Riley of Billings, Susie Mathisen (Al Kohl) of Gillette, Wyoming, 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Evelyn Bates, his sister Elizabeth (Betty) Long, and great grandson Therin Zipler.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2014 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point. Condolences for the family may be left at: www.claytonstevensonchapel.com . Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with arrangements.