Riley Joe Goates

Riley Joe Goates, age 77, of Gholson, passed away late Tuesday evening, January 27, 2015 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Jason Burden officiating. Burial will follow at Gholson Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Riley was born April 17, 1937 in Fort Worth, the son of William Riley and Clara Mae (Dollins) Goates. He graduated from West High School in 1955 and TSTC, where he studied HVAC. On October 6, 1956 he was united in marriage to Susan Kay Fowler in Gholson. Susan preceded him in death on December 17, 2003. He then married Linda Kay Harrison on July 7, 2007 in Gholson. Riley worked for General Tire and Rubber Company in Waco, Sears Department Store in Abilene, Tom's Mechanical in Arlington, Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant in Glen Rose and retired from there in 2002. He was a member of the of the First Baptist Church of Gholson and West Masonic Lodge #475. Riley played the trumpet for the Harold Strand Orchestra. He enjoyed skydiving, scuba diving, wing walking and studying history. He loved traveling around the world. Riley is also preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Leah Kathlyn Goates. Survivors include his beloved wife of 7 years, Linda Harrison Goates of Gholson; a son, Reese Goates and wife Angie of Gholson; a stepdaughter, Cindy Graham and husband John of West; brother, Danny Goates; sister, Barbara Tennison and husband Billy; grandchildren, Dustin Goates, Kaitlyn Kreder and husband Brandon, and Lacie Goates; step grandchildren, Justin Harrison, Kacey Harrison, Trevor Langley, Brittany Graham, Zachary Guthrie and Kyle Gutherie; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Billy Wofford, Brian Ballew, Kevin Goates, Barry Goates, David Fowler and Bill Tennison. Honorary pallbearer is Dr. Heath White. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brookhaven Youth Ranch or to the Gholson I.S.D. The family would like to thank Dr. Heath White, Dr. Alan Gowan, and Dr. Juan Sanchez of Scott & White Temple and Providence Hospice for their compassionate care.