Jeremy began this life on December 10, 1977, in Ardmore, OK the son of Richard and Sharon (Hunt) Bates. He grew up and attended schools in Marietta, graduating with the Class of 1996. Soon after graduating, Jeremy enlisted in the United States Army and entered bootcamp at Fort Leonard Wood. During his service, he served as a combat engineer with Delta Force and served two tours in Kuwait. After being honorably discharged from the service, Jeremy worked as head of security for Fayman & Sorbello Food Group in Madill.

Jeremy loved being outdoors enjoying everything from fishing to four wheeling. He was also a huge OU Sooners fan. Jeremy attended the Marsden Baptist Church and was also a member of the VFW Post 1922 in Gainesville, TX. Jeremy was blessed with many joys in his life, but his heart found its truest happiness in the love he shared with Carla and the precious moments spent with family.

Jeremy was preceded in death by grandfathers, Paul Bates and Robert Hunt; grandmothers, Darlene Ullrich and Joyce Hunt; aunts, Elizabeth McGahey, Carol Studeman, and Reba Rueda; uncles, Raymond Brewer, Freddy Bearden, and Delbert Bates; and cousins, Tony Hunt, Lyn Bates, William Studeman, Joyce Coleman, Kathy Howard, and Susan Michelle. Those left to cherish his memory are his soulmate Carla Pitchford of Red Oak, OK; parents, Richard and Sharon Bates of Madill; brothers, Paul Bates and wife Jeanie of Madill, Brandon Bates and wife Melissa of Duncan, OK, and Derek Bates of Madill; aunts, Mahota Martin, Sue Bates, and Gayla Loyd; uncle, Gary Bates; and nieces and nephews, Kayla Armitage and husband Matthew, Robert Bates and wife Alyssa, J.P. Watson and wife Carlie, Cheyanne Bates, Brett Bates and wife Autumn, Bailey Hildebrand, Izaiah Kemp and wife Angie, and Paige Bates.

Casket bearers are Bronc Noland, Devlin Pierce, James Bratcher, Robert Trevino, Danny Cryer, Jarrod Neely. Honorary bearers are Paul Bates, Brandon Bates, Derek Bates, J.D. Pitts, John Gustafson, Travis Coffman, and Jeremy's nieces and nephews.