(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)James L. “Jim” Bates, age 83, of Joplin, MO, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Freeman Hospital, following a long-fulfilled life.
Jim was born on May 17, 1938, in Neosho, MO, the son of the late Robert and Gladys (Massey) Bates. He has been a lifelong area resident. Following High School, he worked at Stockyard Feed. He then worked as a manager of Shotgun Sam’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken. He retired after twenty-five years of service from Roadway Trucking.
On February 21, 1974, Jim married Beulah Wolfington and together they were blessed with seven children. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. He belonged to Masonic Lodge #549 AF & AM of Carl Junction. He was a member of Order of the Eastern Star a twenty-two year Worthy Patron. He was a Grand Representative of New Mexico OES, and a former member of Rodeo Clowns of Abou Ben Adhem Shrine of Springfield, MO.
Jim is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Beulah Bates, Joplin, MO; three sons, Keith Bates and wife Sherry, Grove, Ok, Terry Bates and wife Tonya, Joplin, MO, and Carl Dean Lowry and wife Lynette, Phoenix, AZ; four daughters, Tammy Taffner and husband Bob, Carthage, MO, Audrey Eubanks and husband Darrell, Joplin, MO, Reta Bates, Webb City, MO, and Sandy Allgood and husband Steve, Webb City, MO; seventeen grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Lee Bates, Thomas Bates, and Mike Bates; and one sister, Bonnie Kinkade.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Pastor Darren Chitwood will officiate. Burial will be in Burkhart Cemetery near Racine, MO. The pallbearers will be grandsons, Derek Eubanks, Kyle Eubanks, Richard Fowler, Micah Fowler, Zachary Taffner, and Randy Bates.
The visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, prior to the service, at Mason-Woodard. Memorial contributions may be given to the Masonic Lodge #549 of Carl Junction, MO in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.
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