Robert "Bobby" H. Bates, Jr.

Robert H. “Bobby Bates, Jr, age 68, of Pass Christian, passed away on August 31, 2024, in Pass Christian.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert H. Bates, Sr and Barbara Hartley Bates; a sister, Patricia Stepp; and a nephew, Larry Bates, Jr.

Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Fennell Bates; his children, Brandy (Justin) Jones, Stephanie (Ryan) McMahon, Robert H. “Beau” (Ryan) Bates, III, and Amber (Lance) Allen; a brother, Larry K. (K.C.) Bates; his grandchildren, Halle and Hannah Jones, Liam and Parker Kate McMahon, and Anderson, Porter, Reed, and Marigny Bates; and many nieces, nephews, God children, and friends.

He was a native of Greenville, MS and was a longtime resident of Long Beach and Pass Christian. He was a 1974 graduate of Long Beach High School and attended Perkinston Junior College. Bobby worked at Long Beach Fire Department where he earned the rank of Lieutenant, was a co-owner of Modern Moving and Storage, and was most recently the retired owner of B & B Services of South MS. 

Bobby was an avid fisherman and he fished the IGFA Offshore Championship in Cabo San Lucas in 2009, finished 3rd place in the marlin division of the MS Big Game Fishing Jeff Alexander Memorial Tournament, and was named all conference for the 1973 undefeated Long Beach High School Football team. 

He was an avid New Orleans Saints fan, loved his 1968 Camaro SS and Cruisin the Coast. His latest hobby was cruising around in his 2000 Jeep Wrangler and he loved anything Jeepin! He played on many dart leagues over the years and for the last few years, he and Jackie enjoyed camping with an amazing group of friends. 

Bobby was honored with a lifetime membership of the Carnival Association of Long Beach where he served as a team captain for many years and was honored to reign as King Scott XXIV in 1984. He was also a member of the LB Jaycees, the Coast Motor Carrier Association, and was a faithful member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach. 

He had many interests, but his favorite past time was spending every extra minute with his family – especially his grandchildren!

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Summer Allen and all of the staff at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, and the nurses and staff of Gentiva Hospice.

The family would also like to give special thanks to an “angel among us.” Our family is so blessed, especially Bobby, to have had all of the love and knowledge our Ryan Bates had to share throughout this traumatic time in our lives. She’s our very special blessing. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to the St. Thomas Catholic Church “Chiller Fund” or the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 720 E Beach Blvd, Long Beach, 39560.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, from 10 am – 12 pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 pm in the church. A private interment for family only will take place in Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is honored to be serving the family.