George Ellis Spates

George Ellis Spates III was born November 10, 1960 in Houston, Texas. He is the first of seven children born to George and Faye Spates. In his younger years he was affectionately known to his family and friends as Buke (b(y)o͞ok). Buke was primarily educated in the Bryan public school system; in high school he mastered the trumpet and was a member the Viking marching band as well as the elite jazz band. After graduating high school in 1979, he immediately enlisted in the Army.

In the Army George was based at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. However, most of his years were served in Europe with NATO specializing in information and technology. On August 8, 1986 he married his wife Patricia Moncal. Throughout his military career he received many certificates of achievement and good standing awards. He retired as a staff Sargent in 1995.

Using his experience from the Army, George began his 25+ year career in the emerging field of cellular networks and technology first for PrimeCo cellular in Dallas. After a few years, he moved to Chicago where he worked for Motorola’s cellular division. He then worked as a customer support/systems engineer for Nokia Siemens Networks and Nokia Solutions and Networks.

He is preceded in death by his father George Ellis Spates Jr. (Feb. 2005) and his brother in-law Rick Whitley (July 2020). He is survived by his mother Faye C. Spates, wife Patricia Spates, brother Gerald Spates, sisters Jannene Spates, Wanda Spates-Whitley, Kathryn Spates, Gail Spates, Nicole Spates and Maureen Gardiner. He also leaves behind a niece Erin Spates, a nephew Kendrick Whitley, 2 aunts Mary Gordon and Sandra Price, hundreds of cousins, and many friends.