He retired from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 1991 at the age of 66 as a wildlife area manager over Cutoff Creek Management area, served as a paratrooper for the 82nd airborne during WWII, was a Mason and member of the Portland Masonic Lodge 499 and member of the Portland Order of the Eastern Star, and a deacon of Collins Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents Earnest Allen and Florence Dingler Bates; his first wife, Helen Gwin Bates and his second wife, Edith McEwen Bates; two brothers, Marion and Geral Bates and a sister, Sally Bates Battle.
Survivors include three sons, Jimmy Bates of Trafalgar, Gene Bates and wife Judy of Hamburg, Dale Bates and wife Dianna of Monticello; a daughter Donna Watts and husband Kevin of McGehee, a step-son Grover McEwen and wife Sharon of Dermott; two brothers, Elvin and T.R. Bates of Monticello; three sisters, Hattie Mae Reynolds of Jerome, Cattie Mae Lemley of Dermott, and Louise Robinson of Cabot; six grandchildren, Amie Kielwasser, Haley Birdyshaw, Ben and Landon Bates, William and Nathan Watts; two step-grandchildren, Laura Leigh Johnson and Tarrell McEwen; four great-grandchildren, William, Helen Claire and Georgie Anna Kielwasser, and Olivia Birdyshaw; three step-great grandchildren, Jayden Johnson, Jennifer and Hector McEwen; and a host of friends and relatives.
Condolences(19)
Kathy Bates Berry
Monticello, AR Thursday, June 9, 2011 Jimmy Bates ask me to put this on the guestbook for Uncle Hoot on how He got his nick name Hoot. Many people have been asking about it.When he was a small child he could not talk plain. His father would ask him to go get his boot jack and Uncle called it a "hoot jack" so the family started calling him Hooty Jack and as he got older they shortened it to Hoot.
If any of us nieces or nephews called him Uncle Alvin he would think we did not love him. He was always just Uncle Hoot.
Kathy Berry
Carmen Pruitt Smith
Hamburg, AR Tuesday, June 7, 2011 Gene & Judy, Donna, Jim, Dale, & Grands,I was saddened to read about the loss of Mr. Hoot. Seems like a hundred years ago I last saw and visited with him. (I bet Mamaw Hoot is smiling...)Hold tight to all your memories. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Parker- Hayden
McGehee, AR Monday, June 6, 2011 Prayers goes out to your family for your loss. Sorry to hear of his death, our family send our deepest thoughts and prays to you all.Barbara Foster
Platte City, MO Monday, June 6, 2011 I'm so sorry I couldn't make it. Didn't even realize the service was Sunday until last evening and it was too late to send flowers. I'm praying for you all.Bunnie
Denise Bates McClain
Star City, AR Saturday, June 4, 2011 I have many wonderful memories of Uncle Hoot, most of them funny! He was a dear man.He had told me on more than one occasion that he wanted me to sing at his funeral. Well, he is getting his wish. I hope he is looking down from Heaven and is pleased.
God blesss all who are grieving his loss and comfort you with your wonderful, precious memories.
Amanda Bittle
Dermott, AR Saturday, June 4, 2011 Uncle Hoot was a great man who will be missed by all who were blessed to know him. Uncle Hoot could be found guilty on many occasions of picking on people, but that was his own special way of loving you. Don't get me wrong tho, Uncle Hoot was very compassionate also. When my grandparents were sick or having surgery, you could always count on Uncle Hoot showing up to comfort us during those difficult times. I have many Precious Memories of Uncle Hoot that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.Sue Brady Nash
Atlanta, GA Saturday, June 4, 2011 Much love to the family.........we loved Alvin so much. As many have said, he always had stories to tell and laughs to bring from you - not matter if you felt like laughing or not - you did when he was through. Jimmy.......you were there for us when Mother and Daddy died. Wish I could be there for you now. My prayers and love are with you all..........Bye,. Hoot. See you soon.Dian Cruce Ricks
Hamburg, AR Saturday, June 4, 2011 Our family has been friends with The Bates' as long as I can remember; but it has only been within the last few years that I have come to love and appreciate Mr Alvin even more, working with him on the restoration of Troy Church. He was a mentor to us and an inspiration. He never missed a work day, always there to support and lend a hand. There were many days when he came to the church and worked all alone---we decided he liked being there by himself, probably reminiscing on the past and communicating with God and nature. I'll always treasure the stories he shared; I'll aways be appreciative of his service to our country and I'll sure miss him at our Troy Church events. My condolences to the family. Love, DianJames and Kathy Bates Berry
Monticello, AR Saturday, June 4, 2011 I want to write a few words about my Uncle Hoot. We have a large very close Bates family. All of us Grandchildren were taught to respect and and love all of our uncles and aunts and each other as grandchildren.Uncle Hoot loved his family and would always check on us if we were sick. He took family members to their doctor appointments and it did not matter what time of the day or night that he would get back home.
Any time a family member would be in the hospital you could count on Uncle Hoot to come and see about you and he would sit with you for a while and may not say very much. We knew he cared and prayed.
When we lost our Son Wade and our Mother, Uncle Hoot had tears down his cheaks griefing with us.
He worked for my husband on the farm alot after he had retired. If James called him he would be there before long with a big lunch bucket in his hand, a big smile on his face and ready to stay untill after dark if he was needed.
One last thought to leave with you. Uncle Hoot did many kind things for people and would not tell anyone anything about it and never wanted praise.
I will miss him.
Kathy Bates Berry
PAT SAVAGE
MONTICELLO, AR Saturday, June 4, 2011 So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Kem Shrum
Merced, CA Saturday, June 4, 2011 Dear family and friends of Poppa,I am sorry for your loss.
What a jovial, positive, outdoorsman he was! He will be missed by all who knew him. He was a joker, but he loved all. He was a man of many talents, but was not a braggart. He was humble and would do anything for anyone.
His memory will make one smile. God bless you, Kem
Ediith Sonntag
Flippin, AR Saturday, June 4, 2011 Dear Ones, How much I wish we could be there with you today---The best we can do is pray for all of you.Knowing that "Hoot" is now where all our hearts long to be is such a consolation....what a Homecoming that is going to be!! Much love to you all,
Tootsie & John
James and Gladys Youngblood
Monticello, AR Saturday, June 4, 2011 Our deepest sympathy to the entire family. May God comfort you at this sad time. Our love.Walter & Norma Chapman
Monticello, AR Saturday, June 4, 2011 Jimmy and Dale , So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Our prayers are with you in this time of loss.Nancy (Altom)Mikus
Loudon, TN Saturday, June 4, 2011 Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bates Family.You will be missed.
Nancy and Peter
Katie Patterson
Strasburg, OH Saturday, June 4, 2011 I will always have wonderful memories of time spent with Alvin. I loved helping him with his bee boxes and honey and still have the picture of him on my horse many years ago. I still recall his stories of life, and war, and family and friends. His welcoming smile always brightened my day and will be missed by all who knew him. Always willing to lend a helping hand, yet, rarely asking for help himself, Alvin was a wonderful inspiration in my life.Tom@Betty Lewis
Monticello, AR Friday, June 3, 2011 Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.Jennifer Reynolds Baker
Houston, TX Friday, June 3, 2011 Uncle Hoot, You will be deeply missed by us all. I will never forget you always making me laugh when you were around. I know we will miss you visiting out at Maw maw Reynolds house. I always love hearing funny stories about you from my Dad and his Brothers. You will forever be a wonderful memory in my heart.Love, Jennifer and family
Gail Kizer
Collins, AR Friday, June 3, 2011 Mr. Bates was a member of Collins Baptist Church and so am I. We seem to have acquired designated pews over the years and his pew was right behind mine. Lately, he would come in late but seemed to always have a smile on his face and ready to shake my hand and chat awhile. I always looked forward to seeing Mr. Bates and wondering what he was going to say that particular day and I really missed him when he wasn't there. He will definitely be missed by a lot of people at Collins Baptist Church.