Bates, Roy E. 1880-1971

BATES, BALLARD, BUCHANAN, HOWELL, NELSON, JOLLEY, OLSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/22/2009 at 09:52:57

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Dec. 27, 1971

ROY E. BATES SERVICES HELD

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. today (Monday, Dec. 27) at the James-Schalinske Funeral Home for Roy E. Bates, 91, a retired Grinnell businessman, who died Wednesday, Dec. 22, at the Friendship Manor Nursing Home.

The Rev. Newell E. Davis officiated at the services. Organist was Norman Goodbrod.

Pallbearers were Dr. A.W. Brock, Mel Van Wechel, C.N. James, C.H. Dimit, Jack Stanley and Henry Schuring. Honorary pallbearers were Carl Child, Robert Kinsey, George Walker, Lawrence Murphy, Harris Stafford and the Rev. Ralph Beebe.

Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery.

BORN AT CLEAR LAKE

The son of Edward Henry and Cora Ballard Bates, Mr. Bates was born Feb. 5, 1880, at Clear Lake.

In August of 1898, he came to Grinnell to attend high school. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill. He graduated from their school of pharmacy in 1903.

Mr. Bates was first employed at the Talbott Drug Store. He then went into partnership with Warder Stoakes before going into business for himself in 1906.

On May 27, 1907, Mr. Bates married Kathrina Buchanan.

Mr. and Mrs. Bates operated the Bates Rexall Drug Store until 1927 when he sold to Earl Mathews. Mr. and Mrs. Bates started a flower shop in one corner of their drug store, and after selling the drug store, the couple concentrated on Bates Flowers in a new location where Don Louden's office is now located. They had greenhouses near Hazelwood Cemetery.

In 1938, the couple purchased the Bartlett property at 1012 Broad St. adding the greenhouse at the rear and the shop on the front to transform it into one of Iowa's most unique floral establishments.

In 1956, at the age of 75, Mr. Bates sold Bates Flowers to his son-in-law, I.R. Howell.

ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY

Mr. Bates had always been an active participant in Grinnell community affairs. He was organizer of the old Commercial Club which preceded the Chamber of Commerce. He was the first merchant in Grinnell to have a motorized delivery service. He was the instigator of the first Christmas decorations being placed in the downtown business district and for many years personally supervised their placement.

At the time of his retirement, Mr. Bates had been in business more than 50 years, longer than any other man in Grinnell.

Mr. Bates was a charter member of the Grinnell Kiwanis Club and a past president of the club. He was an active Mason for many years. He had been a member of the United Church of Christ-Congregational since 1907.

SURVIVORS

Survivors include three daughters--Mrs. I.R. (Barbara) Howell of Grinnell, Mrs. Harry A. (Jean) Nelson of Conoga Park, Calif., and Mrs. L. Ray (Joy) Jolley of Oskaloosa; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and three sisters.

Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his wife, Kathrina, on Feb. 6, 1963; a daughter, Mary Bates Olson; a son, John, who died in infancy; five brothers and one sister.