James Dale Bates

James Dale Bates was born August 1, 1930, in Homer, Louisiana, to Wade Bates and Gladys Dickens Bates. He entered into rest on August 15, 2024, at the age of 94. 

Jimmy Bates was a lifelong lover of sports. A high school standout in basketball, he graduated from Homer High School in 1949 and entered Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech University) where he played basketball and tennis. Each summer, Jimmy played baseball for the Homer Oilers. He took his first teaching job in Pelican, LA, followed by several years in Athens, LA, where his basketball teams achieved state championships. As a teacher and coach, he encouraged many young people to be the best they could be as athletes and proponents of fair play. 

Jimmy received his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, his master’s degree from Northwestern State College and his doctorate from Louisiana State University. He was among the initial faculty of LSU in Shreveport, serving as the institution’s first Chairman of Health and Physical Education Department when LSU-S opened its doors in the fall of 1967.

During the Korean Conflict, Jimmy Bates served his country proudly as a member of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles.” Following his retirement from teaching, he embarked on an entirely new endeavor…that of Petroleum Landman. As a Landman, he made new friends, visited new places and mastered a new set of skills.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, his Aunt Lucy and Uncle Brooksie Dickens, and his cousin, Charlie Dickens.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Patricia Teel Bates of Homer; daughter, Catherine Owen and husband Jim of Spotsylvania, VA; son, Scott Bates and wife Paula of Benton, LA; and grandchildren, Christopher Bates and wife Sarah Ellen, Matthew D’Reaux, Ansley D’Reaux and Clark D’Reaux. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Joe B. Bates and wife Paula of Tyler, TX; brother-in-law, A. Alex Teel and wife Susan of Hoschton, GA; very special first cousin Elbie Jean Dickens of Homer; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved very much.

Jimmy Bates was successful in many areas of life, but in none more than in his relationship with other people. His students were particular beneficiaries of the way he related to them. He leaves behind a family who will always love him and a host of friends who remember him with affection. 

A memorial service for Dr. Bates was planned for 2:00 pm, Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Wesley Chapel at Lake Claiborne, 3647 Hwy 146, Homer, Louisiana, preceded by a visitation which started at 1 pm. For those wishing to make a gift in his memory, the family suggests donations to the charity of individual choice.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110