Phillip Dean Bates 73 of Lubbock died Monday February 17, 2014 in Lubbock. Graveside Services have been scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Wednesday February 19, 2014 at the Friona Cemetery in Friona with Jeff Procter, minister of the 6th St. Church Of Christ in Friona, officiating. Burial following by Blackwell-Mullins Funeral Home in Friona. Mr. Bates was born October 15, 1940 in Hereford, Texas to R.L. and Martha Evelyn Watson Bates. He graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1963 with a degree in mathematics. In 1964 he married Gretchwin Carlotta Brown and began a 20 year career in the United States Air Force becoming a highly decorated Cold War veteran working on the Minuteman Missile Program and the Disaster Preparedness Program. He wrote the Alabama Disaster Preparedness Program in use in that state today. After he retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Major, he became a coach and math teacher for the Lubbock I.S. D. He loved hunting, coaching recreational baseball and softball and was a member of the Church of Christ. He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include: his wife Gretchwin of Lubbock, 4 sons- Daniel Bates of Dallas, Robert Bates of Dumas, Jay Bates of Lubbock, and Duane Bates of Atlanta, Georgia, 2 Daughters- Amy Bailey of Bossier City, Louisiana and Melissa Richling of San Diego, California, 1 brother-Dr. Dwight Bates of Athens, Texas, and 11 grandchildren. Memorials can be made to The Children's Home Of Lubbock 4404 Idalou Rd, Lubbock, TX 79403