A memorial service for Rickey Eugene "Dudley" Bates, 64, of Boyd, Texas will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel.

Rickey was born on July 9, 1961, in Gatesville, Texas to Kermit Eugene Bates and Shirley Faye Williams Bates and passed away on July 10, 2025, in Post, Texas.

He married Nancy (Cummings) Bates on April 4, 1981. He loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed playing with his dog, Elroy. He loved old westerns such as Gunsmoke. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kermit Bates and Shirley Shadowens.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Bates; sons, Brandon Bates and Chad Bates, all of Boyd, Texas; grandson, Colson Bates of Decatur, Texas; brothers, Roy Bates and Randy Bates (Carolyn) of Marshall, Texas; brothers-in-law, Dale Cummings (Cindy) of Denton, Texas and Steve Cummings of Roanoke, Texas; nephews, Canon Bates of Marshall, Texas, Jacob Bates of Chicago, Illinois, Cary Cummings (Tiffany), Casey Cummings (Ashley) and Cody Cummings (Jessica) all of Justin, Texas and Tyler Cummings of Haslet, Texas and nieces, Ashley Beisner of Ft. Worth, Texas and Stephanie Cummings of Haslet, Texas along with his beloved Jack Russell terrier, Elroy Bates and other family and friends.