James Robert Gates

A memorial service for James (Bawbo) Robert Gates, age 70, Arapaho resident, will be 4:00 P.M. Monday, October 24, 2022, in the Kiesau Memorial Chapel, with Jimmy Berkenbile officiating, and under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.

Bawbo was born July 29, 1952 in Rockford, Illinois, to Robert F. and Arlene (McMaster) Gates, and passed away Thursday, October 20, 2022 in Oklahoma City.

Bawbo was raised and attended school in Rockford until he was 18, then moved around in his life to Ashflat, AR., Oklahoma City, Hennessey, and finally to the Clinton/Arapaho area in 2003.

Bawbo was an appliance repairman for Sears until his retirement in 1999. Up until his death, he kept and ran the grandchildren all around to school, school functions, and ballgames (loving every minute of it). His interests include Chasing the grandkids, and watching Judge Shows on Television.

He was preceded in death by both his parents, two sisters Beverly Hankins, and Patricia Ainley, and one brother Terry Gates.

He is survived by his daughters Spring Cordes and her husband Adam of Arapaho, Robin Green and her husband Randy of Dover, Ok., four brothers Kenny Gates and his wife Janet of Ashflat AR., Farrell Gates of Searcy AR., David Gates and his wife Dawn of Mammoth Springs, AR., Brian Gates and his wife Karen of Ashflat AR., a sister Kim Kahn and her husband Rick of Jonesboro, AR., a sister-in-law Vickie Gates of Jones OK., and seven grandchildren Emily, Haley, Hayden, Erika, Cheston, Gemma, and Brynli.