Dr. Marshall H. Bates, of Katy,TX formerly of Kenedy, TX was born in San Angelo, Texas on October 6, 1922 and passed away on April 1, 2019 at the age of 96. Marshall graduated from San Angelo High School in 1941. He married Helen Louise McDaniel on June 14, 1942 and they were married for over 76 years. Marshall joined the Air Force and after the war he moved to Tennessee to pursue his Optometric Degree. After graduation, he and Helen moved to Kenedy,Texas where he opened his practice and they lived until 1990. Marshall was active in the Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge, and the Lions Club. He served on the school board, hospital board, and church finance committee. He also served on the board of Texas Optometric Society and was appointed by Govenor Smith to serve on the Texas Board of Aging. Doc is what his fishing buddies called him. Marshall’s favorit hobby was hunting and he thorougly enjoyed watching his grandsons and then great grandchildren participating in their extracurricular activities and sporting events. Gawgie, as he was known by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, regularly enjoyed watching his favorite NASCAR racers, football and basball games on the weekends and was an avid Katy Tiger football fan. After movng to Katy, Texas in 1990, Marshall became active at Kingsland Baptist Church and served as a greeter and deacon while being a member of the Christian Fellowship Bible Study class. Marshall was an avid “mall walker” and enjoyed the fellowship with his friends at the mall. Marshall is survived by his wife, Helen Bates and daughter, Becky Franklin; grandson Michael Franklin alon with his wife Carol and their tow children Mollie and Braden; Grandson John Franklin along with his wife Sarah and their two children Avery and Jase. Marshall was preceded in death by his son in law Don Franklin and is survived by Don;s brother and sister, Richard and D’Ann Franklin, niece Carla Pruneda and nephew Bryan Houck and their respective families. A Graveside service will be held Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 1:00p.m. at Kenedy Cemetery with Richard Robinson officiating. A Memorial Service will also be held on Saturday, April 6th, at 10:30a.m. at the Kingsland Baptist Church. Memorials (In lieu of flowers) made be made to: Kingsland Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, 20555 Kingland Blvd. Katy, Texas 77450.