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JERRY BATES
BATES, Jerry Wayne, 63, of Richmond, departed this life on September 9, 2011 after a brief struggle with lung cancer. Jerry was born in Roanoke, Va. His parents, Dillard Thomas Bates and Agnes Mae Moran Bates, predeceased him. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Hill Bates; daughters, Meagan Cassandra Bates and Molly McKelvy Bates. Jerry received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Communication Arts and Design, and retired from VCU after 30 years of employment as the manager of the VCU School of Arts Graphics Lab. Jerry was a lifelong supporter of the arts, and later in life primarily focused his art interest in photography. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, September 16, at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 West Broad St., where a memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, September 17.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Sep. 11, 2011.
MEMORIAL EVENTS
GUEST BOOK
16 Entries
I was Jerry's next door neighbor on Virginia Avenue in Roanoke,Va. We used to have such good times together when our families would camp at Philpot Lake.It's odd because I just came across a photo of all of us camping. I am very sorry for your loss and sorry that we didn't keep in touch as it seems as if he had a wonderful family. My prayers are with you at this time.
Gail Sowers King
September 17, 2011
Jerry was my cousin. It is so hard to believe he is gone.
Margaret,Meagan,and Molly--we are here for each of you.
Susan
Margaret,Meagan,and Molly--we are here for each of you.
Susan
Susan Culpepper
September 16, 2011
Margaret, Molly and Meagan,
Jerry’s love for and devotion to his wife and daughters was interwoven in many conversations he and I had over the years. I treasure the tangible keepsakes he left in the form of uncommonly fine prints and photographs. Intangible but more precious are my memories of his deep care for me as a human being, his readiness to share anything he had, and his uncanny ability to know things about me that I didn’t know myself. I carry on, sorrowful, but also joyful that God has blessed me though Jerry’s friendship.
Don
Jerry’s love for and devotion to his wife and daughters was interwoven in many conversations he and I had over the years. I treasure the tangible keepsakes he left in the form of uncommonly fine prints and photographs. Intangible but more precious are my memories of his deep care for me as a human being, his readiness to share anything he had, and his uncanny ability to know things about me that I didn’t know myself. I carry on, sorrowful, but also joyful that God has blessed me though Jerry’s friendship.
Don
Don Cowdrey
September 16, 2011
To Margaret, Molly and Meagan- I am deeply sorry for your loss. Jerry truly made a difference in many lives during his time at VCU. I will miss him so much. Kristina Adams
September 16, 2011
Tim & Louise Burgel.
We are so sorry for your loss,
Jerry was always the life & soul, a great visionary;He will be greatly missed.( the best photo when I had no hair !)
We are so sorry for your loss,
Jerry was always the life & soul, a great visionary;He will be greatly missed.( the best photo when I had no hair !)
Louise / Tim Burgel
September 15, 2011
Dear Meagan and family. Im so sorry for your loss. I was honored to have met Jerry through his daughter Meagan. He had a personality that just glowed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Tracy Benn
September 15, 2011
I knew Jerry all of his years at VCU. He was a tremendous help personally and to my students collectively.
Students who worked under his guidance gained professional work experience and never left the campus.
He served the overall School of the Arts and in particular the CA&Design Dept. as a dependable and trusted colleague.
Overall he was the "glue" that kept us
all timely and connected.
Students who worked under his guidance gained professional work experience and never left the campus.
He served the overall School of the Arts and in particular the CA&Design Dept. as a dependable and trusted colleague.
Overall he was the "glue" that kept us
all timely and connected.
David R. White
September 15, 2011
I was so saddened to hear of Jerry's passing, he was such a good friend for all these years, too young, too soon to leave us. I will always remember his wit and humor with great fondness. His family is in my prayers. Diane Tumblin (Class of 71)
Diane Tumblin
September 14, 2011
Goodbye, dear old friend. I will never stop missing you.
old age can't carry
sorrow's heavy burden
--Du Fu
old age can't carry
sorrow's heavy burden
--Du Fu
Diana Lively
September 14, 2011
Jerry,
I remember you and I together in "Squirrel's" Government class at WFHS in '65-'66 and me, you and Gerald Chewning at Carvins Cove on senior day. From then it was those nights in Richmond at my step brother's apartment on Grace Street. Those times were fun and youth defined.
Goodbye, Jerry.
I love you.
Tom Davis
I remember you and I together in "Squirrel's" Government class at WFHS in '65-'66 and me, you and Gerald Chewning at Carvins Cove on senior day. From then it was those nights in Richmond at my step brother's apartment on Grace Street. Those times were fun and youth defined.
Goodbye, Jerry.
I love you.
Tom Davis
Tom Davis
September 14, 2011
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Diane Latney
September 13, 2011
Jerry was a good friend during our college years. I always loved his enthusiasm, his energy and his zest for life. What a wonderful, interesting and kind person.
James Gregory
September 13, 2011
I will never forget Jerry's laugh - he laughed easily and it was contagious. He was such a wonderful source of camera and print knowledge for students and faculty, as well as a holder of many memories and stories for the school and department. My thoughts are with his family - Margaret, Molly and Megan - as well as his larger CARD/GDES family at VCU. We've lost a treasure.
Pam Turner
September 12, 2011
Jerry was such a help to me when I arrived at VCU 8 years ago - generous and knowledgeable. When I met John it was so wonderful to know that Jerry was one of his friends. The family at the Bean will miss him for years to come.
Glynn Brannan
September 12, 2011
I wonder if Jerry realized how much he was loved by so many.
He made it clear to everyone that he adored his three girls! Margaret, Meagan, and Molly, that love will stay with you as long as you live. We are all so lucky to have had Jerry in our lives.
He made it clear to everyone that he adored his three girls! Margaret, Meagan, and Molly, that love will stay with you as long as you live. We are all so lucky to have had Jerry in our lives.
Libby Meggs
September 11, 2011
Margaret, Megan and Molly - Jerry was so loved by all of us at VCU. I hope he knew that he was so loved, and that he will always be a part of our family.
Anne Graves
September 11, 2011