Ralph DeWayne Bates was born on February 14, 1962, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Ethel Juanita "Griffin" Bates and Lyle DeWayne Bates. He was the fourth of six children and the first son.

Ralph was raised in a close-knit household alongside his siblings, where serving the Lord through prayer and music was a way of life. Every child was taught to play an instrument, and Ralph's was the guitar. Anyone who attended a family gathering where Ralph was present knew that before long the guitars would come out and the singing would begin. He deeply loved his family and cherished the time spent with them. Growing up, Ralph was almost always outside with his brothers and sisters—creating their own games, sharing adventures, and occasionally getting into trouble, as curious kids often do.

His father, Lyle, was a preacher for the Church of God of the Firstborn, which eventually led the family to settle in Oklahoma.

As a young adult, Ralph joined the United States Army in 1983. He served actively for three years, reaching the rank of Private First Class and spending time stationed in Germany before receiving an honorable discharge.

Following in his father's footsteps, Ralph later began a career in truck driving with a company called FFE. He loved life on the road and proudly traveled to nearly all 50 states.

Family was everything to Ralph. He would do anything for the people he loved. Although he did not have biological children of his own, he married Leandra Talley in the late 1980s, becoming a devoted father figure to her two sons, Josh and Steven Talley. He helped raise them as his own and, through unfortunate circumstances, eventually took on the responsibility of raising their children as well. Ralph lovingly adopted his and Leandra's grandchildren—Alexis Denise Lonelodge, Aaron Kye Talley, and Andrea Lee Talley—and also welcomed their grandson, Austin Talley, into his home at times. He gave them all a wonderful childhood, just as he did for his many nieces and nephews, often taking them along on the road with him.

Ralph was always willing to help anyone in need, never expecting anything in return. He truly had a servant's heart. He was a provider, a father, an uncle, a son, and a brother, a pa pa—and he took each of those roles seriously.

Like everyone, he experienced ups and downs throughout his life, but he remained steadfast in his faith and his love for God.

Ralph DeWayne Bates will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He will forever be remembered as our truck-driving cowboy