Elmer Thomas Bates

Elmer Thomas Bates, age 84, of La Grande died December 15, 2004 at a local care facility. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at the First Christian Church at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Mark Schlessman officiating.

Mr. Bates was born on August 19, 1920 to Thomas William and Laura Emma (Elmer) Bates. He graduated from Union High School in 1940 and served in the Navy as a sonar man on the U.S.S. Tulagi during World War II. He worked as a truck driver for 33 years and drove over 2.5 million miles. He was a member of the Rusty Wheels Car Club and the First Christian Church, and enjoyed woodworking, snowmobiling and Model T automobiles.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Ranee and John Haight of Twin Falls, Idaho, Chris Bates and Jay Webster of Portland, Leslie and Larry Foley of La Grande, Kim Bates of Springfield, Denise and Jerry Rosensteil of Forest Grove and Garret and Teri Bates of Vancouver, Washington; brothers, Edward of Condon and Ehrman of La Grande; sister, Annabelle Brown of La Grande; 10 grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Research Alliance of Oregon, PO Box 10051, Portland, Oregon 97850.