Richard Eugene Bates
Richard Eugene Bates, Jr. of Huddleston passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026. He was born January 27, 1949, a son of the late Richard E Bates, Sr.; and Mary Antheline Bates. He was also predeceased by a sister Sidney Ann Walden.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley D. Bates; daughter & son-in-law, Teresa B. & Jim Martin; granddaughters Hannah G. Martin and Carleigh J. Martin.
He graduated from Staunton River High School, Moneta, VA and attended Central Virginia Community College with a concentration in computer science.
Richard joined the U. S. Navy in 1968 and proudly served his country on board the USS Orion for 2 years and 4 years in the U.S. Navy reserves. He also served as a Seabees reservist for 6 years.
Richard was the owner-operator of Bates Trucking, Inc. and had leases with Schneider National, Roadway Package Systems, and FedEx. He earned numerous safety awards and provided safety training to other professional drivers. He was recognized for driving over 2 million accident-free miles with FedEx.
Throughout his life, Richard stayed very busy using his skills and creative talents. He designed and constructed his dream log home in Huddleston. He enjoyed camping, antique shopping, vintage sewing machine restoration, and creating model train displays. Being very musically talented, he enjoyed playing various musical instruments and singing. He was an accomplished luthier and crafted an untold number of fine high end quality acoustic guitars, electric guitars, dulcimers, banjos and ukuleles. One of his greatest joys in life was to provide youth who had a passion for playing gospel music, with one of his instruments. Richard and Shirley enjoyed playing bluegrass and gospel music. They spent many happy times at festivals, music jams, and playing music with others. He especially enjoyed providing music and singing at local nursing homes and at numerous churches with Shirley, family, and friends.
He loved providing special music for his fellow congregation members at Huddleston Parkway Church. Richard was a strong Christian believer and spread the message of his faith to others at every opportunity.
Richard loved and was so very proud of his family, Shirley, Teresa, Jim, Hannah and Carleigh. He considered his brother-in-law Kenneth Dickson (Linda) his own brother. He also loved his sisters-in-law Ann Whorley (Randy) and Janet Binger (Freddie) as well as all his many nieces, nephews and their families.
Richard was kind, tender-hearted, and generous. He dearly loved the Lord, his family, his church, and his country. He will be missed by everyone he touched.
A Graveside Service with Full Military Honors will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 20, 2026 at Leftwich Cemetery in Huddleston with Rev. Melvin Harris officiating.
Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Huddleston.
