Melvin “Sonny” Daniel Bates Sr. was born February 25, 1975, in Lawton, OK to Melvin and Cynthia (Upchego) Bates. He passed away on July 24, 2025, in Watonga, OK at the age of 50. Melvin currently works at Divine Cultivation in Calumet, OK. He also worked as security for the Feather Warrior Casino in Watonga. OK. He was also the caretaker of his mother in her advanced years. He enjoyed spending time with his dogs, Sir Duke and Falkor. He married Marilyn Redhat on December 19, 2014, at Concho, OK. He is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. He is also of Ute and Arapaho descent.
Survivors include: his wife Marilyn Bates of Watonga, OK, his children, Corey Bryant Tyson Bates of Chester, OK and Melvin “Doxy” Daniel Bates, Jr. of Flute Springs, OK , His siblings, Waylan Upchego and wife Nikole of Geary, OK, Leslie Sugar Bates, Sr. of Geary, OK, Gari Lynette Bates and husband Jordan of Geary, OK, Jamie Leah Bates of Geary, OK, Geneva Raynell Guzman of OKC, OK, Deanna Gardipes of OKC, OK, Johnny Bates of Lawton, OK, Marie Pribble of Colorado Sprints, Co, grandchild, Raven Bates of Billings, MT, stepmother Angie Bates of Geary, OK, as well as nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
Melvin is proceeded in death by his parents, Melvin and Cynthia Bates, his grandparents, Otis and Maggie Bates, and Hon. Henry and Elaine Upchego.
All Night Wake: All Tribes Baptist Church, 205 S. Aurora, Geary, OK; Monday, July 28, 2025 @7:00 p.m. Services: All Tribes Baptist Church, 205 S. Aurora, Geary, OK; Tuesday, July 29, 2025 @1:00 p.m. Burial: Sunset Cemetery, Geary, OK
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