Pamela Ann Bates-Crossno
1955 – 2020
Pam was born in Del Norte, Colorado to Jimmy Owen and Patricia Ann Bates. The oldest of four siblings, she grew up in South Western Colorado and moved to Portalas, New Mexico during Jr High where she graduated High School. After graduation, she moved to Arlington, Texas where she attended Terrance County Community College and where her first child, Jason, was born. Pam then moved to Oklahoma where she planted her roots.
In 1980, Pam married John Hopper of Oklahoma City, where she gave birth to two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Johnna, and eventually settled in Dibble Oklahoma. In 1993, Pam met her second husband Dave Crossno of Dibble, Oklahoma. In 2002, Pam and Dave moved from to Arcadia, Oklahoma where they lived the rest of their lives. Dave passed In 2016. Although she lived in many places, Dibble, Edmond, Choctaw, and Holdenville, she still considered Colorado home.
Pam and Dave owned and operated a gun shop specializing in antique black powder cartridge rifles (BPCR). Pam specialized in making stocks. Together they started the BPCR .22 match that grew all across America and propelled the shooting sport to new heights with new shooters and a greater interest in the BPCR sport. They made an annual trip to Raton, New Mexico to participate in the national championship event. Through the sport of shooting they made some of their closest friends.
Pam was an animal lover and there was never a point in her life that she did not have one. Some of her favorites were Sir John (shetland pony), Bob (her father’s horse), Ben and B.B. (akitas), Bone Dog (pot belly pig), Bark and Melba (bullweiners), Flicka (goat), Bean (chihuahua), and her little black dogs, Red and Blue. She saw them all as family, not pets, and frequently donated to animal charities.
Pam loved nature. She believed nature could heal everything, including the soul. She had many gardens, house plants, and an orchard that she maintained over the years. Pam preferred the country because she wanted to be surrounded by nature. She loved to keep unique rocks from places she had been as memories. Everywhere she went she would find a special rock to remember and cherish the time.
Pam had a kind and gentle heart. She would help out anyone in need and give them everything she had to help. She has given shelter to many in need through the years helping to get them on their feet when they were down. One of her favorite pastimes was going out to lunch, finding a veteran, and paying for their meal.
Pam’s greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother. She loved her children and was very proud of them. She enjoyed talking about them and sharing their adventures and successes with everyone. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart. Anytime they entered the room, she would beam with joy and all things in her world became better.
Pam joins her husband Dave Crossno; father Jimmy Bates; grandparents Bob and Esta Bates, Ford and Eythel Davis. Her memory will be carried on by her mother Patricia Bennett; children Jason Bates, Jessica Hopper, and Johnna Testerman; son-in-law Johnathan Testerman; siblings Danae Alspaugh, Jimmie Sue Smith, and Robby Bates; brothers-in-law Perry Alspaugh and Larry Smith; sister-in-law Patti Bates. She is also survived by her grandchildren Owen Bates; Jianna, Jenevieve, and Jairayhlyn Moore; Jaysiey-May Williams; Adam and Eli Testerman; Stepson Thomas Crossno and his wife Lisa and grandchildren Eden and Kynli Crossno and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Pam always said she didn’t want a funeral, but a party … so dry your eyes and CELEBRATE her life!!!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following charities on her behalf:
The Gary Sinise Foundation – garysinisefoundation.org
The Arbor Day Foundation – shop.arborday.org/donate-now.aspx
Free to Live Society – freetoliveok.org/givetoday/
Celebration of Life will be held at:
Oklahoma City Gun Club
12411 NE 234th street
Arcadia, OK 73007
May 24, 2020
1PM
Bon Fire and BBQ at Pam’s House immediately following.
I’ve been hearing great stories about Pam for the past couple of weeks and I would have loved to have spent more time with her. She leaves behind a beautiful family that I do get to know and spend time with, and for that I am grateful.
May you find comfort and healing as you mourn the loss of this beautiful soul.
May you continue to smile and laugh as you remember her precious life.