Jerry F. Bates

Jerry F. Bates, 86, of Gulfport, MS passed away on Friday, November 17, 2017 at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport with family at his side. Jerry was born on July 24, 1931 in Jackson, MS to James F. and Ivy F. Bates. Jerry was a longtime resident of both the MS Gulf Coast and South Louisiana. He graduated from Pass Christian HS where he lettered in football and tennis. He brought his tennis talent to Perkinston Junior College, playing on the tennis team and winning a state championship while there. He put his college career on hold to serve his country as an Army Ranger during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged and resumed his college career at the University of Mississippi graduating with a BA in Accounting. After graduation from Ole Miss, Jerry worked for the Freeport Chemical Company for 30+ years, most of those years in South Louisiana while residing in Gonzales, LA. Jerry started in accounting and worked his way up to Vice President of Administration at the Uncle Sam Plant in Convent, LA prior to retiring in 1987. After retiring, Jerry got into the catfish business in Faunsdale, AL with his son Barry as farm manager and co-owner. In his early years, Jerry loved to fish, play softball, tennis and golf. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with family, collecting Roseville pottery and playing bridge. At the time of his passing he was pursuing Life Master status in bridge by participating in southern regional area bridge tournaments. Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Mark E. Bates; parents, James F. and Ivy Bates; and siblings, James L. Bates, Helen A. Giadrosich and Cecil Lynn Bates. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Martha Bowden Bates (Gulfport); children, Deborah B. Martin (Jim), Jerry L. Bates (Mitzi), Barry J. Bates (Tammy) and Dr. David A. Bates; siblings, Hazel McDonald, Charles K. Bates and Robert W. Bates; grandchildren, Sarah Bates Paul (Dave), Kayla L. Bates, Benjamin Mark Bates (Katy), Christopher J. Bates, Jade E. Bates, Cameron A. Bates and John Patrick Bates; great granddaughter, Vivian Noelle Paul. The family prefers memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1900 Dunbarton Drive, Suite H, Jackson, MS 39216. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Kiln-Delisle Road in Pass Christian Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 1:00 pm. Friends may visit from 11:30 am until mass time. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.