Milton Dee Bates, Jr, 91, died May 16, 2020. He was born in Dallas, TX on June 28, 1928 to Milton Dee Bates, Sr and Leola Reppond Bates. In 1951, Milton graduated with a 4-year degree from OU in Norman; two of those years were spent at Bethany-Peniel College. He served two years (1946-1948) in the US Navy, where he was stationed in Guam. He married Mary Lou Kelso on June 15, 1951. Before joining Bates Shoes, the family shoe business in Bethany, Milton was a radio meteorologist. Later in life, after many years in the shoe business, Milton continued his education and interests to become a Licensed Message Therapist. He and Mary Lou, a Certified Reflexologist, began Therapeutic Services Group. Milton was heavily involved in service to his community and was a long time member of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. Service areas included teaching 6th grade and young adult Sunday School classes, church board member, Kiwanis member, ski trips sponsor, missions trips participant, volunteered for Stephen Ministries, Provide-A-Ride, Meals-On-Wheels and more. Milton enjoyed a broad range of activities including reading, scuba diving, water skiing, snow skiing, tennis, hiking, drama productions, narrations, rappelling at age 78 and even ziplining across the Columbia River at age 90. In his 80s he ran the OKC Memorial 5K, won the Rosebud Classic 5K for his age group, and placed bronze and silver for his age group in the Winter Park Nastar races. Milton was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rozell Bates Lackey; and loving wife of 66 years, Mary Lou. He is survived by his daughters, Gwen Bates of Oklahoma City, Jane Ann Smith and her husband Randy of Highlands Ranch, CO; and grandson, Courtland Wilson of Sacramento, CA. Other survivors include his niece, Shirley Lackey Leone and husband John of Tustin, CA; and nephew, Glen Lackey and wife Juanita of Cedar Hill, TX. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The City Rescue Mission of Oklahoma City, The Childrens Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany or Heart to Heart International, PO Box 15566, Lenexa, KS, 66285. A chapel service will be held Thursday, June 4, 2pm at Mercer-Adams in Bethany. Memorial Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Thursday, June 04, 2020 2:00 PM 3925 N. Asbury Bethny, OK 73008