Melton L Bates was born to Melton and Patsy Bates on January 15, 1956 in Fort Worth, Texas.

He has survived by his wife of 38 years Kathy Bates, his sisters Carol Randolph, Karen Chapin, and Pamela Dwyer, his brothers, Richard Bates, Thomas Kent Bates, and his children Andrea Fanning, April Harrison, Scott Bates, Michael Bates, and Robbie Bates. Grandchildren, Jesse Swafford, Ford Swafford, Annalise Reynolds, Joanna Reynolds, Isaac Harris, Hailey Bates, Gage Bates, Adalynn Bates and, Elizabeth Bates. Along with many other beloved, cousins, nieces and nephews and other people whose lives he touched.

He went to be with the Lord on May 19, 2026 gone but not forgotten.

Melton has been cremated under the care and direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith-Sidenfaden Chapel.