Donald Bates

Donald L. Bates
BLACKFOOT - Donald L. Bates, 78, passed away peacefully in his home in Blackfoot, Idaho, on Thursday, August 20, 2009, with loving family and friends present. He was born on December 29,1930, in Salmon, Idaho, to Harry Cairns Bates and Alveretta "Peggy" Lish Bates. He attended school in Patterson, Idaho. 
Don served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 as a military police officer (Corporal) in Presidio of San Francisco, Calif. He was honorably discharged in 1953. Also in 1953, Don met his future wife, Dixie Lee Temple, in California. Don and Dixie were married on May 28, 1953, in Reno, Nev. In 1955, Don enlisted in the National Guard and received an honorable discharge in 1956. 
In 1957, Don began his 16-year uranium mining career. He began working in the uranium mines at the Big Indian Mining District in Lasal, Utah, and continued on to work for several other mining companies until 1973. During this period, Don and his family relocated to several areas and finally settled in Moab, Utah. Don completed his mining career in 1974 when working for the Atlas Corporation upon advice from his medical doctor as he was suffering from lung problems developed during his mining years. 
In 1973, Don and his family relocated to Blackfoot where he made his home. From 1973 to 1978, Don worked for Valley Farm Center in Blackfoot. In 1978, due to exposure to fertilizer and other hazardous chemicals in his current job and the effects they had on his already compromised lungs, he made a career change and attended vo-tech school at Idaho State University and received his certificate in 1979 as an office machine repairman. From 1979 to 1985, Don worked for Itex Business Systems of Idaho Falls. In 1985, Don went to work for Basic American Foods in Blackfoot where he retired in 1993 as a safety representative. 
In 2000, Don's wife Dixie, the love of his life, passed away after 47 years of marriage. In 2001, Don met Elaine Johnson of Pocatello and they have been close companions since. 
During his life, Don enjoyed raising, training, and showing quarter horses. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping. He was a very talented guitar player and loved singing and writing his own lyrics. He also enjoyed making birdhouses and other craft items. Don was also quite the practical joker, always looking for a way to tease. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and also a member of the Moab Utah and Blackfoot Idaho Elks Lodge. 
During his retirement years, Don enjoyed many winters in Arizona, first with his wife Dixie and later with his girlfriend Elaine. He enjoyed the companionship of the Snowbirds, the many music jam sessions, and meeting new friends. 
He was a wonderful father and a grandfather extraordinaire. He loved his children and grandchildren immensely. 
Don is survived by a son, Danny Bates of Blackfoot; daughters, Deanna Sonnenberg of Carthage, Tenn., and Dawn Lisa (Chip) Davidson of Blackfoot; sisters Ellen Moore of Elko, Nev., and Margaret Reed of Boise, Idaho; and grandchildren, Marco (Kelly) Bates, Daniella (Josh) McAllister, Angela (Ray) Ewing, Aaron Bates, Jamie (Vic) Sadler, Jason Sonnenberg, Dan Sonnenberg, Michael Sonnenberg, Derick Davidson, and Brittney Kaye Davidson (Justin) Loosli. He is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren. 
Don was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Merlin Dean Bates, and a sister, Thelda Sullivan of Grass Valley, Calif. 
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at the First Baptist Church, 2550 Rose Road, Blackfoot, with Pastor Mark Fisk officiating. 
The family will meet Monday, August 24, 2009, from 7-9 p.m. at the Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot and for one hour prior to the services at the church. 
Interment will be in the Groveland Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion, Stewart Hoover Post #23.