Roger Antonio “Tony” Bates, 60, passed away Monday, Aug. 25, 2014.
He was born May 31, 1954, in Raymondville, son of Lawrence and Sylvia Smith Bates.
He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in 1976 with a degree in education. He taught at Pleasant Hope, Marshfield and Study Middle School in the Springfield area. Although he started his career teaching high school shop classes, he also taught many other classes from computers to cooking. Since retiring from his full-time teaching job, he substitute taught, mowed lawns and worked at an after-school program.
He volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield for many years. He donated his body to the Missouri Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.
Survivors include his parents; a brother, Alan Bates; a sister, Carol Bates Roling; two nephews; and a special friend, Teresa Stanley.
Services are 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Fox Funeral Home with Rick Mosher officiating. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Boone Creek Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Ronald McDonald House in his memory. Online condolences may be made at foxfh.net.
