Milton Ray Bates went home to be with the Lord on January 15, 2020.  He was born March 24, 1953, in Akron, Ohio to the late James T. Bates Sr. and Melva Bates.

Milton attended the Akron Public Schools.  While attending West Junior High School, Milton was a member of the Youth for Christ program in which he was an avid witness for Christ. leading other youth to be saved.  He entered the draftsman program in 1968 at Hower Vocational High School then he graduated from Central Hower High School in 1972.  The draftsman program helped him gain employment at B.F. Goodrich Tire & Rubber Company where he worked for several years.  Also, he attended The University of Akron, and later Malone College.  Milton partnered with John and Vera Palmer and opened the P&B Market on Cedar Street in Akron. In 1983 Milton studied to become a realtor and began to work for Stan Gertz Realty, then he went to work with Howard Hanna Realty until he joined Realty One where he worked in Las Vegas, Nevada until the time of his passing.  Milton began his walk with Christ at the age of 11 years old and started preaching the Gospel at age 14 years old under the teaching of Pastor Mary L. Stone at “Akron Deliverance Evangelical Temple” which was later renamed “Stone’s Deliverance Evangelical Temple”.  He served many other positions such as Armor Bearer, Door Keeper, Usher, Church Bus Driver, Church Security, Sunday School Teacher, Children’s Choir Director, and Business Manager for the church.  He coordinated and planned services and events, and he trained new ministers.

Milton faithfully served “Stone’s Deliverance Evangelical Temple” until 2012 when he joined the “Gospel of Christ Ministries” in Akron, Ohio as an Associate Pastor under the Leadership of  Pastor Charles J. Bell.  Throughout his whole life, he dedicated himself to ministry — evangelizing, counseling, teaching, preaching and winning souls for Christ.  His life mission statement was “To bring thousands of people to Christ, help them become delivered, saved, and train them to be spiritually strong in the Lord!”   He was always ready to preach and teach the Word when called upon or given the opportunity and, he lived by the scripture 2 Timothy 4:2, KJV, ”Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”  He believed firmly in 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  Pastor Bates loved God with all his heart and wanted to experience as much of God’s love, grace, and power as possible.  His favorite scripture was Ephesians 3:20 KJV: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

On July 20, 1974, Milton married the love of his life, Rose Payne.  Their marriage produced three children, Nikole, Jada, and Miltia.  Since 2013 Milton resided in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife close to their children and grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents James T. Bates Sr. and Melva Bates; sisters, Jacqueline Shropshire and Cheryl Stone; and brother, James T. Bates Jr.

Milton leaves to cherish his memory beloved wife of 45 years, Rose;  daughters, Nikole Bates (daughters Cheyenne and Navi) and Miltia Campbell (special friend Jesse Hawkins, sons Jerimiah and Jakub, and daughter Ruby Quinn); son, Jada Bates of Los Angeles, California (Alicia Arrigo, son Henry, and daughters Aubrey and Devyn).  Milton’s sisters, Cynthia Jackson, Lorraine (Allen) Jones, and Valerie (Joseph) Horton; brothers, Leon (Yolanda), Anthony (Tresha), Wendell, and Lance; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.