James E. Bates

James Edward Bates, 84, of Denver Colorado, passed into eternal life on May 20, 2015 surrounded by family. He was born to Eugene Donald Bates and Harriet May Grover in Tyre, NY. He enlisted into the Army and served in the Korean War. Upon discharge from the service in Fort Bliss, TX, he met Honoria Salas and married November 2, 1954. Together they were blessed with 3 children, James Edward Bates, Jr. (Vicky) of Texas, Donald Eugene Bates (Brenda) of Colorado, and Mary Elizabeth Hargrove (Calvin) of California. He has been blessed with 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He went to work for General Motors Company in El Paso, Texas and was later transferred to Denver, Colorado where he eventually retired at the age of 54. After the death of Honoria in 1981 he met, and later married, Florence Elvera Anderson January 30, 1992. James loved woodworking. He loved the smell and feel of each kind of wood and could tell you what type of wood it was just by the grain. He spent many hours taking a plain piece of wood and turning it into a masterpiece which he then would gift to those he met. While in his workshop there would always be classic country music playing in the background. He enjoyed his time fishing in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, pheasant hunting on the eastern plains of Colorado and was a successful antelope and deer hunter. Later, his hobby was spending time ""Up the Hill"" at Blackhawk and Central City. He even won a $25, 000 jackpot! He loved family gatherings and duel celebrations of birthdays and wedding anniversaries by going to different fine eating establishments. James continued to meet and support his UAW union brothers and sisters through attending monthly retiree meetings when possible. He will be greatly missed and will be honored and cherished forever. Services will be held Saturday May 23, 2015, at 1:00PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO, 80227. Reception to follow. Interment is Friday May 29, 2015, at 10:00AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave., El Paso, TX. In lieu of flowers we suggest memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association, Colorado Chapter, 2460 West 26th Ave., Ste. 500C, Denver, CO 80211; the American Heart Association, Southwest Affiliate, PO Box 841125, Dallas, TX, 75284.