James Bates

James "Jim" Bates, 86, of Fridley, took the hand of Jesus on April 7 in Andover. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 4101 Washington Street NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421. Interment will be held at Morningside Memorial Gardens.

Jim was born on February 26, 1930 to James and Edith (Dowling) Bates in Bemidji, Minnesota. Jim honorably served in the United States Navy during the Korean War on the Ship USS (Pender County) LST-1080 from Nov. 1950 to Aug. 1954. He married the love of his life Rose Ann Gorr of Eden Valley, Minnesota on Apr. 16, 1955 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Eden Valley. In the early years, they lived for a short time in Iowa before returning to the Minneapolis area. In 1961, they moved to their new home in Fridley where they raised their family. They were blessed with four children, three daughters and a son. Jim was baptized as a child and confirmed his faith in the Missouri Synod Lutheran church at the time he and Rose married. They were members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church for 50+ years.

Jim will be remembered as a hardworking, caring, family man who put others first. He worked for the City of Fridley from June 1962 to April 1992 when he retired. During his time with the city he also served as a volunteer Firefighter from 1962 - 1980. Jim was proud of his career in public service.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, and snowmobiling with his family. He embraced his nephews as if they were his own. He included them in his hunting/fishing trips and family vacations. He introduced his son, son-in-laws, grandsons, and nephews to Bear Den Landing, a preferred hunting area from his childhood near Bemidji.

He and his wife Rose loved to travel. They would regularly take their four children camping across the US and Canada. As their family grew, their children and grandchildren were regular visitors to their favorite camping spot at Joe's Lodge on Lake Andrusia, in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Jim had a great sense of humor and was always ready with a quick joke. He enjoyed sitting around a campfire laughing and sharing stories. After retiring, Jim and Rose took their dream trip to Alaska in their motor home, sharing an adventure of a lifetime together - salmon fishing, deep sea fishing and taking in the majestic beauty found in Alaska. During the winter months they became snowbirds, driving their motor home to a warmer climate throughout the southern states, especially Rockport, TX.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rose; daughter, Barb Stixrud; son-in-law, Scott Schwartzwald; brother -in-law, Frank Rex. Jim's spirit will live on in all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by daughters, Linda (Rod) Kent, Deb Schwartzwald; son Jimmy (Michelle) Bates, son-in-law Bob Stixrud III; grandchildren, Rod (Jennifer) Kent Jr., Jenna (Dan) Kent-Spangenberg, Eric Schwartzwald, Jarred Schwartzwald, Josh Bates, Devan Bates, Brandon Bates, Hailey Hathaway-Bates, Bob (Julie) Stixrud IV, Robin (Brad) Norman; two precious great-granddaughters Renee Rose Stixrud and Addison Rose Spangenberg; siblings Elaine Rex, Donna (John)Rex, Ken (Marlos) Bates, Ron Bates, brother-in-law Leander Gorr, many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.