Mr. Gary Gene Bates, age 68 of Molena passed away March 6, 2020. Mr. Bates was retired from the Clayton County Fire Department with 32 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents: Charles and Mary Bates, brother: Bruce Bates and sister: June Nichols. Surviving are his wife: D'Anna Bates, daughters: Hanna Bates and Sarah Hughes, 3 step-sons: Casey, Kevin and Christopher Laughrey, sisters: Janie Templeton of Henderson, TX and Regina McCullough of College Park, grandson: Hudson Hughes, 6 step-grandchilden and nieces, nephews and extended family. Funeral Services will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at the Chapel of Ford-Stewart Funeral Home with Chaplain Ron Little and Pastor Jeff Lowe officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.