Robert Bates

Robert “Shon” Bates, 45, of Medicine Lake died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, at the Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Plentywood.

He was born Oct. 19, 1976, in La Mirada, Calif. He spent his early years in California, but eventually planted roots in Medicine Lake and would call it home. He enjoyed life and was kind to everyone he met and knew.

He married Robin, and they had three children together. He also took in two of Robin’s girls and treated them as his own.

He worked at many places over the years including; oilfield work, FedEx, a farm hand at D& B Johnson farms and most recently John Deere in Culbertson. He enjoyed learning how to farm and working with the crew at D& B. This fall, he was ready for a change with more normal hours during the spring and fall months, so he joined at John Deere where he could continue working around the farm lifestyle.

He enjoyed RC racing with his dad and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was someone who truly cared about others and would drop everything to lend a helping hand.

He is survived by his spouse, Robin; children Aeryn Dorr, Kaitlynn, Ryan, Samantha, Danica and Maddylin; sister, Shannon Khan; grandmother, Edna; step-father, Ray Holt; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Sterling Bates Jr. and Marilyn Gale Holt; and granddaughters, Charlotte and Mailee Dorr.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m. at Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home in Williston, N.D., officiated by Ralph Summers.