Reginald "Reggie" Harrison Bates

On August 8, 2020, Reginald “Reggie” Harrison Bates, 66, of Ocean Springs, MS, went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Reggie fought a month long battle with Covid-19 before succumbing to complications due to his illness. Reggie Bates was born to parents, Richard and Irene Bates, on January 10, 1954, in the small town of Temple, TX. He grew up in the town of Ardmore, OK where he attended and graduated from Dickson High School. As a teenager, he was very involved in the local 4-H program where he was the state speech champion and state song leader. His love for music and radio started at a young age and continued for the rest of his life. Reggie started a 43 year career in radio broadcasting as a disc jockey when he was 16 years old. He was an incredibly creative man and wrote his first song when he was 12 years old, a radio jingle for a local pest control company. Along with his early work in radio, he was a prolific news journalist who traveled the regional area interviewing major sports celebrities the likes of Howard Cosell and Ted Williams. Reggie took his talents to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio/TV/Film in 1976. After graduation, his degree led him to a very successful career in broadcasting with stops in Wichita, KS, Tulsa and Ardmore, OK, Louisville, KY, New Orleans, LA, and eventually Biloxi, MS where he spent the last 22 years of his radio career. Reggie would constantly entertain any room he was in with stories of the places his career took him and the people it allowed him to meet. From tales of travelling with the University of Oklahoma football team to the Orange Bowl in Miami, FL to the infamous “No Mas, No Mas” Roberto Duran vs. Sugar Ray Leonard fight in New Orleans, LA to even shadow boxing with Muhammad Ali at the great fighter’s birthday party, there was never a dull moment around him. Reggie spent 22 years in Biloxi, MS working with the WKNN/K99FM country music radio station and eventually three other stations under the Clear Channel/iHeart Media umbrella. During his time with WKNN, he helped to support the “Country Cares” program for 14 years which worked diligently to raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. His tireless work for this cause through fundraisers such as songwriter’s concerts and golf tournaments and visits to the hospital helped to raise a large amount of money for children and their families over the years. For the last 5 years, Reggie worked for Heartland Payment Systems aiding local businesses on the Gulf Coast with their point of sale services. He truly enjoyed his work with Heartland because he was out in the community daily doing his best to help local businesses save money and thrive. He was a great lover of entrepreneurs and people in general and his work with Heartland enabled him to connect with the public and once again make countless friendships. He spent close to 20 years as a deacon and worship leader for First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs, MS where he shared his great love of Christ with anyone who crossed his path. His love of the Lord was very deep and he never hesitated to share the good news of what Christ meant to him and what He had done in Reggie’s life. He was highly involved with the Cursillo retreats through First Presbyterian as a musician and worship leader. He always looked forward to sharing his love of Christ there and treasured the great friendships he made with the good people involved. Reggie also spent the later years of his life dedicating much of his time to support The Mississippi Songwriter’s Association. He served on their director’s board and helped to put on the Annual Songwriter’s Association Festival, of which he was extremely passionate about. Once again, the friendships he made through the Association were very dear to him and he talked of those involved in the highest regard. Reggie was an incredible husband, father, and grandfather to his wife Kay Bates, son, Clay Bates and wife Shannon, stepson, Loren Gautier and wife, Courtney, stepdaughter, Kristina Gautier and grandchildren, Levi, Ava, and Ann and sweet puppies, Samantha and Patty. He loved his family dearly and never hesitated to tell stories of traveling with Kay, what the kids were doing with their lives, being Paw Paw to the grandkids, or spending his afternoons singing to his dogs. Reggie Bates was one of the happiest people to ever set foot on Planet Earth. He loved singing and playing guitar, baseball, a nice glass of whiskey, a good cigar, and a hot, crispy piece of bacon. He would frequently make secret stops at Sonic Drive-In for .50 cent corn dog day and call those close to him to remind them to go and get one because it was “just a good deal” and he wanted us to share that little joy with him. He was always quick with a “dad joke” or a sharp witted comment and kept those around him in stiches constantly. His ability to remember and recite his favorite movie and tv quotes made him the center of attention in his social circles and he thrived on making people laugh and keeping them in a good mood. Reggie will be greatly missed but those who knew him well know he has his cold one and his peanuts with him as he has taken his permanent seat at the great ballpark in the sky. He was one of a kind and there will never be another Reggie Bates. A virtual service will be held at 10am CST on Saturday, August 22nd, through the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs website at www.fpcosms.com and will be kept online for viewing after the original broadcast. For anyone who would like to say something about Reggie or send a fond memory or story, please send a short video clip to messagestoReggie@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs, MS, or The Mississippi Songwriter’s Association. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.