Ralph Bates, Sr., 82, of Garrettsville, Ohio, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 28, 2026. He was born on November 25, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Thomas H. Bates and Gwendolyn A. (Stickland) Robertson.
He worked for D. Hamilton Trucking for many years. Ralph was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved his family with his whole heart. On October 13, 1962, he married the love of his life, Judy Brown. For 63 years, they built a life rooted in love, loyalty, and steadfast faith.
More than anything, Ralph loved Jesus. His bible was never far from reach, and its pages were well worn from years of reading, studying, and leaning on God’s promises. Ralph found strength there in both good times and hard seasons. He loved to talk about the Lord, to share what he was learning, and to remind his family to trust God in all things. Ralph’s faith was not just something he spoke about it, it was how he lived. He prayed faithfully for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and Ralph’s greatest desire was for each of them to know and love Jesus as he did. While we grieve deeply, we take comfort in knowing he is now face to face with his Savior he so faithfully served and loved.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Judy Bates; his children, Kimberly (Kenneth) Block, of Mantua, Ohio, Kelly Bissler (Denny) of Garrettsville, Ohio, Rhonda (David) Stachowski of Garrettsville, Ohio, Judy Molnar of Valley View, Ohio, and Ralph (Sherry) Bates, Jr., of Texas; sisters, Linda (Freeman) Roff, of California and Joyce (Doug) Wareham of Nelson Township, Ohio; 21 cherished grandchildren; 29 treasured great-grandchildren, as well as and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Kathleen Kay; his parents, Thomas H. Bates and Gwendolyn Stickland; his brothers, Thomas H. Bates Jr. and Charles E. Bates; and his sister, Dorothy M. Gilday.
Visitation was held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center Street, Garrettsville, Ohio 44231. A funeral service began at the funeral home at 4:00, with Pastor David Gray officiating. Burial took place at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, Ohio.
Ralph held tightly to the promise of Scripture, especially Matthew 21:22:
“And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.”
For online condolences go to www.carlsonfuneralhomes.com.
