Founder

1942-2024

Gus spent his entire life in Ft Worth graduating from Paschal High School and Texas Christian University.  He entered the life insurance business in 1966 as an agent with John Hancock.  He had a very long and rewarding career in the financial services industry.  He was most proud of the number of people and businesses he helped over the years by his diligent work ethic and genuine care and concern for those he was fortunate to call clients and friends.

Gus was a tremendous mentor and leader of the company that carries his name.  His loyal and long-tenured employees are a credit to how he treated people and how they all feltl about him.  His motto, “Don’t tell me how much you know, show me how much you care” is still core to how Gus Bates Financial Services operates today.

Gus exemplified servant leadership over his lifetime.  He donated both time and money to causes he strongly believed in.  He served on several non-profit boards, industry associations both locally and nationally, and maybe was most known in the community as Coach Bates.  He believed sports were an important way for youth to learn life lessons and the tools necessary to help them overcome adversity and be successful adults.

Gus loved his hometown of Ft Worth and his TCU Horned Frogs.  He married his sweetheart, Sheryl, while in college and they lived in Ft Worth, not far from TCU.  They had 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.