Earl Elwayne Bates, 81, of Perryton, Texas, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025 in Amarillo, Texas.  A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Perryton, officiated by Rev. Scott Higginbotham.  Burial of cremains will be in a national cemetery.  Cremation arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, Inc. of Perryton, Texas.

Earl was born on August 31, 1943 in Liberal, Kansas to Byron Bates and Avis May Riggs Bates.  He graduated from Forgan High School in Forgan, Oklahoma.  He was a meter reader for NPE Power Company.  He served our country in the U. S. Army, and he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Perryton, Texas.

Earl is survived by one daughter, Torri Janzen and husband Rusty of Perryton, Texas; one son, Kyler Bates of Abilene, Texas; one brother, Byerl Bates of Perryton, Texas; one sister, Opal Hardy of Amarillo, Texas; and three granddaughters, Savana Janzen, Hanna Bates and Emily Bates.

Earl was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Bates; one daughter-in-law, Stephanie Bates; and his parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be to the Stephanie Strong Foundation in care of Panhandle First Bank of Spearman, P. O. Box 337, Spearman, Texas, 79081.