Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....BATES, KENNETH E. August 30, 2015
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GINA BROWN rootsgirl36@gmail.com September 20, 2015, 10:03 am

News Star World - September 01, 2015
KENNETH E. BATES

Kenneth E. "Ken" Bates passed away on August 30, 2015 at his residence in West 
Monroe after a short illness. He was 81. Ken was born on December 4, 1933 in 
Monroe, LA. He grew up in West Monroe and started playing all kinds of sports 
at a very early age. He graduated from Ouachita Parish High School where he was 
a star athlete, playing football, baseball, and basketball. His senior year, he 
was honored by being named "Best All Around Athlete", and as an added bonus, 
was also named "Most Handsome". After graduation, he attended Louisiana Tech 
where he was a four year letterman in football and was twice selected to the 
first team "All Gulf States Conference Football Team". After graduation from 
Tech, he enlisted in the Navy and played football, basketball and baseball on 
the base teams. He was twice selected for the first team "All Seas Service 
Football Team" which was chosen from players from all naval bases in the United 
States. After being discharged, he was recruited by several pro teams, but 
instead he and his wife chose to return to West Monroe to settle down and raise 
their family. He was hired by the late Dr. Lake Oxford to be the first head 
football coach and athletic director at the newly constructed West Monroe 
Junior High School. While there, he, along with Coach Billy Watson, 
consistently produced winning football teams. He was later hired as an 
assistant football coach at West Monroe High School and later became the head 
football coach and athletic director, before moving into administration where 
he remained until his retirement.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Ina Claire McCright Bates, two 
daughters, Leslie Bates and fiancé Mark Meredith of Monroe and Kenda Bates 
Savoie of West Monroe, two sons, Blaine Bates and wife Patti, and Brad Bates 
all of West Monroe; six grandchildren, Kent, Kreg and Kris Savoie, Sydney Bates 
Robinson and husband Ryan, Sam Bates and Chelsea Crosser; one great grandson, 
Reid Robinson and one brother, Al Bates of Houston, TX.

The family honored Ken's wishes for cremation and that no funeral or memorial 
service be held. The family would like to thank Louisiana Hospice for their 
unbelievable support during Ken's final days and especially RN, Jennia Adams.

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