BATES, David B. David B. Bates, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, Retired, went to be with the Ultimate Supreme Commander on August 11, 2019. He and his twin, Nancy, were born on September 25, 1933 in Clarksburg, in the beautiful West Virginia hills. (He was the most loyal "hillbilly" ever.) He was predeceased by his parents, William and Beatrice; brothers, John and Richard; and his sister, Nancy. He is survived by his sister, Carol; his wife of more than 53 lovely and loving years, Delores; his sons, David and his wife, Denise, and Robert and his wife, Kelly; grandchildren, Ethan, Ainsley, Ian and Caroline; and sister-in-law, June Bates. Oh, we can't forget his miniature schnauzer, Pfeffer. He graduated from Ohio University in 1955 with a degree in history, membership in the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and a commission through ROTC in the USAF. He entered the Air Force in January 1956 and served 28 years. New acquaintances frequently asked, "Air Force, of 28 years? What did you fly?" His answer? "Nothing, I get sick in a porch swing!" He served in Korea after the war (transportation), Vietnam (transportation), and a tour as the commander of the Army and Air Force Exchange in Japan. Stateside, he was stationed in South Carolina (air transportation), Florida (Hq Strike Comd), Texas (courier service), North Dakota (Minute Man missiles) and California. While in California, he was the chief of missile/nuclear safety for Fifteenth Air Force, received a Masters of Safety Engineering from the University of Southern California and certification as a Professional Engineer of Safety Engineering by the State of California. Then, back to Florida as a squadron commander and deputy base commander. His last assignment was at Hq AAFES in Dallas. Over the years, he received numerous meritorious and commendation medals. After retirement from the Air Force, he worked as a safety engineer for Dallas Transit/DART, then for LTV/Northrop Grumman. In the fall of 1996, he said farewell to the "work-a-day" world. He was active in his church, the Masonic Order, the Rotary Club, "World Problem Solvers" (a fun and serious) club in Duncanville and local poetry society. He was an accomplished poet and published a book of his poems, "Nature Nurtures In Random Rhyme". Visitation will be held at Jaynes Memorial Chapel in Duncanville on Thursday, August 15, 2019 from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 12:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Duncanville. Interment will follow at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.