SMYRNA – Eugene L. Bates, 80, died unexpectedly June 25, 2005, at Houlton. He was born March 2, 1925, in Merrill, the son of Frank Sr. and Lena (Rockwell) Bates. He was a proud former serviceman with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a quartermaster second class aboard the USS LST699. Following his military service he made his home in Smyrna working in the logging business and worked for the State of Maine Department of Transportation for more than 30 years. Because of his desire to stay busy during his retirement, he took pride in working his bulldozer building ponds, and such for several people in the area, making new friendships along the way. He was very respected and admired by everyone. He treasured his family and friends as they did him. He will be greatly missed by those who have had the honor to know him. He is survived by his loving wife, Joan, of Smyrna; two sons, Scott and his wife, Christine of Fort Myers, Fla.; Chris and his wife, Trudy, of Merrill; and one daughter, Torri of Oakfield; his grandchildren, Tonya and Raianne Bates of Ramstein AFB, Germany and their mother, Diane Bates of Smyrna; Valerie and Kris Dawn Bates of Bangor; Sierra and Kylie Jo Bates of Oakfield; two brothers, Carroll Bates and his wife, Mary, of Shin Pond, Dales Bates and Hattimae of Amherst; stepchildren, whom he loved as his own; Sony Reed and his wife, Jeanne, Joan Sage and her husband, Rodney, Jan Whitney and her husband, Tom, Kathy Pelkey and her husband, Philip; several stepgrandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Cozine; brother, Frank Bates; stepdaughter, Becky Ireland; granddaughters, Kelly Jeanne Reed and Cari Ireland. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Bowers Funeral Home, Island Falls, where funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Marcelle Daigle officiating. Interment will be in Smyrna Mills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers those who wish may donate to either the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society, in care of Bowers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 579, Houlton, ME 04730.
EUGENE L. BATES
