James O. Bates

James Otis "Otie" Bates peacefully died Friday, September 19, 2025. He will be missed by so many but now in heaven, he rejoins his wife of 65 years, Jill Frances Olson Bates (Aug. 25, 1939-Feb. 17, 2023) as well as his recently deceased son-in-law Kenneth Ruffer Jr (Nov. 24, 1961-Sep 13, 2025). Otie was the son of the late Otis "Ott" Alonzo Bates, (1888-1948) and the late Adda Eulalia Ruby Bates (1893-1969).
Otie grew up in Illinois in various places in Chicago and in the western suburbs as the youngest of 10 children. He graduated from Hinsdale Central High School as did his wife Jill and all their children. He was a football and track star in High School and continued to see his classmates for many years. Otie, served in the military like his brothers, and other family members. Otie saw action during the last days of the Korean War. As the truce agreement became official, he was assigned guarding the DMZ before returning home. Otie was a strongly devoted family man. He became involved in his children's lives as well as his grandchildren's lives by watching games, giving advice, listening to our stories, worries, and delights. He loved nothing more than being with his family. Otie, Dad, Daddy, Uncle Otie, Grandpa Otie, Big Papa lit up around family and we will dearly miss both our loving parents, Otie and Jill Bates.
Otie is survived by his six grieving children: Michael James (Teri Behrends) Bates, Suzan Jane Bates, Becky Christine (James) Avers, Timothy James (Joni Morken) Bates, Angela Marie (Michael) Karesh and Sara Jean (Ken 1961-2025) Ruffer, Jr. Grandpa Otie will be missed by his grandchildren Heather Bates, Denice (Juan) Beltran, Brian (Bailey Becker) Avers, Steven (Camaryn Rogers) Avers, Thomas (Amy Aton) Avers, Samuel (Caitlin Moran) Avers, Ender Bates, Jeffrey Bates, Emma Bates, Gregory (Lisa Stegmiller) Karesh, Amy (Christopher) Schultz, Kelly (Gregory) Binder and Alexandra Ruffer. Grandpa Otie aka Big Papa will be a wee memory for his 18 great grandchildren; Alessandra Amelia and Lucia Ann Beltran; Andi Christine, Austin James and Adley Jon Avers; John Olson, Eleanor James Avers and a baby due Monday; Easton William and Paxton Grace Avers; Maxwell Keyes, Bennett Bates, Wilson Porter and Anna Jean Avers; Daegan Graham Ashley; Grayson Francis Karesh; Caroline Grace Schultz; and the newest addition 5-week-old Grant Alexander Binder.
Otie is preceded in death by all his siblings and their spouses: John Russell (1917-1991) (Norma Wells (1927-2006)) Bates; Robert C Bates (1919-1925); Grace Mary (Ken) Murray (1921-1990); Florence Elizabeth Bates (1923-1988); Ruby Virginia Bates (1926-1991); Norman Richard (1927-2019) (Greta Bowyer (1936-1996)) Bates; Donald Howard (1930-2010) (Joan Mason (1931-1997)) Bates; Adda Eulalia (1931-2006) (Jack (1929-2022)) Orbell; and half-brother James Shelby (1915-1945) (Doris) Mehaffey. Otie is survived by a myriad of nieces and nephews from around the country.
Memorial visitation will be held on Sat., Sept. 27, 2025, at 9:30am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Rd., Naperville, IL 60563. A Mass of Christian Burial will start at 10:30am followed by interment at Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton, IL.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Otie to the Jill Bates Scholarship Fund at Mayslake Ministries mayslakeministries.org.
A memorial visitation will be Saturday, September 27, 9:30-10:30 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1500 Brookdale Rd., Naperville. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Inurnment will follow at Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton.
Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Naperville, is entrusted with arrangements.