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Fred Bates Obituary

Dr. Fred E. Bates

Dr. Fred E. Bates of Pineville was born on September 2, 1922 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Terry and Myrtle Moore Bates. Dr. Bates passed away September 30, 2013 peacefully at home after and extended illness. He grew up on the family farm near Lawrenceburg, Tennessee and moved to Fresno, California when he was a teenager.

Fred and Lois Manning Bates were married in Hernando, Mississippi on April 12, 1943.

He valiantly served his country during World War II in the Army's 305th Field Artillery, 77th Division in the South Pacific Theater, until he was wounded twice during the battle of Okinawa. He also fought at the Battles of Guam and Leyte. Fred received multiple citations for bravery in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart as well as the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for action above and beyond the call of duty in the face of enemy action. While in the South Pacific he received a battlefield commission to the rank of Second Lieutenant Reconnaissance Officer.

After returning from the War and recuperating from battlefield injuries, he graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He opened his first Chiropractic office in Corinth, Mississippi, but soon was convinced by a colleague to move to Pineville, Louisiana where he opened an office in early 1950's with Dr. Charles K. McHenry.

As well as being an outstanding Chiropractor, Dr. Fred Bates is well known for his diligence and tenacity that resulted in the passage of legislation providing for the licensing of chiropractors in Louisiana in 1974. He then served his profession as President of the Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners; Chairman of the Board of the Louisiana Chiropractic Association; and was on the legislative committee of the International Chiropractic Association, who selected him as a "Distinguished Fellow" in 1974. Dr. Bates was also named an "Honorary Fellow" to the International College of Chiropractors for the contributions he made to the advancement of the profession in 1974.

Throughout the years, he encouraged many young people to go into the Chiropractic profession. Dr. Bates retired from Chiropractic practice in 1991.

He was a highly talented baseball player, playing for Palmer Chiropractic College where he was the league batting champion in 1948, with a batting average of 523. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs he realized a career in professional baseball would be hampered due to his battlefield injuries, and declined to follow that path. However his love of the game led him to coach many young baseball players in Pineville during the 1950's and 1960's.

An avid outdoorsman and sportsman, Fred advocated for the protection of Quail habitat in Louisiana's public lands. Although he hunted quail in Louisiana and Texas, he mostly loved to see the bird dogs working during the hunt, and over the years had several outstanding bird dogs.

Fred and Lois thoroughly enjoyed their fishing trips, whether going to the camp on Toledo Bend, or spending time at area lakes and ponds with the kids and grandchildren.

All who have been around him know that he was a very generous person, always trying to take care of everyone else. Let us not ever forget this, and how he was so attentive to his dear wife Lois during her long illness. He is an example to all of us.

Most of all, he loved to laugh and to see others laugh. He possessed and uncanny ability to remember every joke he ever heard, and to entertain all around him with jokes and stories. The loss of this great man will be felt for a long time.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the loving, compassionate caregivers and dear friends who participated in his care.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lois Manning Bates; parents Terry Bates and Myrtle Bowling; and half-sister, Susan M. Woelinger.

He leaves to cherish his memory two children, daughter Janice Clark and husband Robert (Utica, Mississippi), and son Robert and wife Carolyn (Horseshoe Bay, Texas), grandchildren Melissa Dugger (Walker, Louisiana), Jonathan Bates (Palos Verdes, California), Richard Bates and wife Rachel (Waco, Texas), Millicent Barrios (Gulfport, Mississippi), Natasha Huerta and husband Justin (Cleveland, Mississippi); great grandchildren Jonny, Josh and Samantha Bates; Whitney, Kennedy and Nathan Bates; Madalynn Green, Maddox and Malayna Barrios, Mellody Domingues; and numerous cousins.

Graveside services will be held at 10 am Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball, Louisiana, with Rev. Ron Perry officiating.

Full Military honors will be observed.

Visitation will be at Griffin Funeral Home from 5pm until 9 pm on Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.griffinfuneralhome.net

Published by The Town Talk on Oct. 1, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

Sorry to hear that Doc has past away.He and my uncle Dr. J E Stephenson really enjoyed quail hunting together. When Dr. Stephenson was sick he wound always check on him. Dr. Bates was a great example of how we should strive to live our life. Thanks for all your work to further Chiropractic!! Dr. James Jenkins DC

James Jenkins

October 14, 2013

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Johnnie Meeks

October 1, 2013

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