Dr. Roger Allen Bates, M.D., 75, of Waycross died Friday afternoon (Sept. 28, 2012) at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Waycross after a sudden illness. He was born in Statesboro, GA to the late Hugh and Rose Libby Bates and he grew up in Waycross and graduated from Waycross High School in 1954. Dr. Bates graduated from Davidson College in Davidson, NC in 1958 and the Medical College of Georgia in 1962 and received his Medical licensure in June of 1962. During his Internship he served the Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL from July 1962 until June 1963 and served his Residency at Tampa General Hospital from July 1963 until June 1964. Dr. Bates served his country in the U.S. Navy from July 1964 until June 1966 and in the Air Force Reserve as a Captain from July 1966 until August 1974. He served his Residency in General Surgery from July 1966 until 1969 at Tampa General Hospital. On October 18, 1973, he was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.
In July 1969, Dr. Bates returned to his hometown of Waycross to begin his Private Practice in General Surgery until March 2005. After retirement from his practice he was employed with Bacon County Hospital in Alma as a General Surgeon until July 2011 when an illness forced him into an early retirement. In August 2012, he triumphantly returned to work at Bacon County Hospital after overcoming his health problems where he once again served his patients and performed the duties he loved so well.
Dr. Bates felt that his purpose in life was to serve the residents of his hometown of Waycross and surrounding areas as a surgeon. He tirelessly recruited physicians to come aid our community and was an advocate for the ways of life in a small town.
Dr. Bates always enjoyed working on his farm known as "River Ridge Farm" where he raised cattle. He was a member of the Cattlemen's Association and enjoyed raising Senepol Cows and developed his own breed by buying and breeding bulls. He also started his own breed of Black Angus Cows. Over the years he enjoyed Tennessee Walking Horses and owned the World Grand Champion, Ebony's Bold Courier. Dr. Bates enjoyed hunting and fishing, Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota and Elk Hunting in Montana. He was a longtime member and sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Dr. Bates was a member of the Waycross Fishing Club and First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Susan L. Bates of Waycross; four children, Anne Bates DeYoung and her husband Kurt of Atlanta, Ashley Bates Porraro of Naples, FL, Allen Bates of Atlanta, Emily Bates of Murfreesboro, TN; five grandchildren, Sophie and Bates DeYoung, Ava, Nickolas and Chance Porraro; two brothers, Hugh Bates, Jr. and his wife Shelba of Athens, AL and Newton Bates, Sr. and his wife Jenny of Waycross; three step-children, Justin Pearson and his wife Mindy of Waycross, Sean Simpson and his wife Lauren of Knoxville, TN, Thomas Simpson and his wife Heidi of Greenville, SC; seven step-grandchildren, Evan and Jayce Pearson, Caroline and Taylor Simpson, Reagan, Scarlett and Athena Blythe Simpson, longtime family friend, Bill Bennett of Waycross; Sassy, his loyal canine companion; several nephews and other relatives.
Dr. Bates truly and sincerely cared for each of his patients and the family realizes that he touched many people in the community; however, in keeping with Dr. Bates' wishes, a private service will be held at a later date for close family and friends.
Dr. Bates donated generously to causes close to his heart. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home and Crematory
130 Screven Ave
Waycross, Georgia 31501
912-283-2525
www.milesodumfuneralhome.com
In July 1969, Dr. Bates returned to his hometown of Waycross to begin his Private Practice in General Surgery until March 2005. After retirement from his practice he was employed with Bacon County Hospital in Alma as a General Surgeon until July 2011 when an illness forced him into an early retirement. In August 2012, he triumphantly returned to work at Bacon County Hospital after overcoming his health problems where he once again served his patients and performed the duties he loved so well.
Dr. Bates felt that his purpose in life was to serve the residents of his hometown of Waycross and surrounding areas as a surgeon. He tirelessly recruited physicians to come aid our community and was an advocate for the ways of life in a small town.
Dr. Bates always enjoyed working on his farm known as "River Ridge Farm" where he raised cattle. He was a member of the Cattlemen's Association and enjoyed raising Senepol Cows and developed his own breed by buying and breeding bulls. He also started his own breed of Black Angus Cows. Over the years he enjoyed Tennessee Walking Horses and owned the World Grand Champion, Ebony's Bold Courier. Dr. Bates enjoyed hunting and fishing, Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota and Elk Hunting in Montana. He was a longtime member and sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Dr. Bates was a member of the Waycross Fishing Club and First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Susan L. Bates of Waycross; four children, Anne Bates DeYoung and her husband Kurt of Atlanta, Ashley Bates Porraro of Naples, FL, Allen Bates of Atlanta, Emily Bates of Murfreesboro, TN; five grandchildren, Sophie and Bates DeYoung, Ava, Nickolas and Chance Porraro; two brothers, Hugh Bates, Jr. and his wife Shelba of Athens, AL and Newton Bates, Sr. and his wife Jenny of Waycross; three step-children, Justin Pearson and his wife Mindy of Waycross, Sean Simpson and his wife Lauren of Knoxville, TN, Thomas Simpson and his wife Heidi of Greenville, SC; seven step-grandchildren, Evan and Jayce Pearson, Caroline and Taylor Simpson, Reagan, Scarlett and Athena Blythe Simpson, longtime family friend, Bill Bennett of Waycross; Sassy, his loyal canine companion; several nephews and other relatives.
Dr. Bates truly and sincerely cared for each of his patients and the family realizes that he touched many people in the community; however, in keeping with Dr. Bates' wishes, a private service will be held at a later date for close family and friends.
Dr. Bates donated generously to causes close to his heart. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home and Crematory
130 Screven Ave
Waycross, Georgia 31501
912-283-2525
www.milesodumfuneralhome.com
Dr. Roger Allen Bates, M.D., 75, of Waycross died Friday afternoon (Sept. 28, 2012) at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Waycross after a sudden illness. He was born in Statesboro, GA to the late Hugh and Rose Libby Bates and he grew up in Waycross and graduated from Waycross High School in 1954. Dr. Bates graduated from Davidson College in Davidson, NC in 1958 and the Medical College of Georgia in 1962 and received his Medical licensure in June of 1962. During his Internship he served the Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL from July 1962 until June 1963 and served his Residency at Tampa General Hospital from July 1963 until June 1964. Dr. Bates served his country in the U.S. Navy from July 1964 until June 1966 and in the Air Force Reserve as a Captain from July 1966 until August 1974. He served his Residency in General Surgery from July 1966 until 1969 at Tampa General Hospital. On October 18, 1973, he was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.
In July 1969, Dr. Bates returned to his hometown of Waycross to begin his Private Practice in General Surgery until March 2005. After retirement from his practice he was employed with Bacon County Hospital in Alma as a General Surgeon until July 2011 when an illness forced him into an early retirement. In August 2012, he triumphantly returned to work at Bacon County Hospital after overcoming his health problems where he once again served his patients and performed the duties he loved so well.
Dr. Bates felt that his purpose in life was to serve the residents of his hometown of Waycross and surrounding areas as a surgeon. He tirelessly recruited physicians to come aid our community and was an advocate for the ways of life in a small town.
Dr. Bates always enjoyed working on his farm known as "River Ridge Farm" where he raised cattle. He was a member of the Cattlemen's Association and enjoyed raising Senepol Cows and developed his own breed by buying and breeding bulls. He also started his own breed of Black Angus Cows. Over the years he enjoyed Tennessee Walking Horses and owned the World Grand Champion, Ebony's Bold Courier. Dr. Bates enjoyed hunting and fishing, Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota and Elk Hunting in Montana. He was a longtime member and sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Dr. Bates was a member of the Waycross Fishing Club and First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Susan L. Bates of Waycross; four children, Anne Bates DeYoung and her husband Kurt of Atlanta, Ashley Bates Porraro of Naples, FL, Allen Bates of Atlanta, Emily Bates of Murfreesboro, TN; five grandchildren, Sophie and Bates DeYoung, Ava, Nickolas and Chance Porraro; two brothers, Hugh Bates, Jr. and his wife Shelba of Athens, AL and Newton Bates, Sr. and his wife Jenny of Waycross; three step-children, Justin Pearson and his wife Mindy of Waycross, Sean Simpson and his wife Lauren of Knoxville, TN, Thomas Simpson and his wife Heidi of Greenville, SC; seven step-grandchildren, Evan and Jayce Pearson, Caroline and Taylor Simpson, Reagan, Scarlett and Athena Blythe Simpson, longtime family friend, Bill Bennett of Waycross; Sassy, his loyal canine companion; several nephews and other relatives.
Dr. Bates truly and sincerely cared for each of his patients and the family realizes that he touched many people in the community; however, in keeping with Dr. Bates' wishes, a private service will be held at a later date for close family and friends.
Dr. Bates donated generously to causes close to his heart. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home and Crematory
130 Screven Ave
Waycross, Georgia 31501
912-283-2525
www.milesodumfuneralhome.com
In July 1969, Dr. Bates returned to his hometown of Waycross to begin his Private Practice in General Surgery until March 2005. After retirement from his practice he was employed with Bacon County Hospital in Alma as a General Surgeon until July 2011 when an illness forced him into an early retirement. In August 2012, he triumphantly returned to work at Bacon County Hospital after overcoming his health problems where he once again served his patients and performed the duties he loved so well.
Dr. Bates felt that his purpose in life was to serve the residents of his hometown of Waycross and surrounding areas as a surgeon. He tirelessly recruited physicians to come aid our community and was an advocate for the ways of life in a small town.
Dr. Bates always enjoyed working on his farm known as "River Ridge Farm" where he raised cattle. He was a member of the Cattlemen's Association and enjoyed raising Senepol Cows and developed his own breed by buying and breeding bulls. He also started his own breed of Black Angus Cows. Over the years he enjoyed Tennessee Walking Horses and owned the World Grand Champion, Ebony's Bold Courier. Dr. Bates enjoyed hunting and fishing, Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota and Elk Hunting in Montana. He was a longtime member and sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Dr. Bates was a member of the Waycross Fishing Club and First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Susan L. Bates of Waycross; four children, Anne Bates DeYoung and her husband Kurt of Atlanta, Ashley Bates Porraro of Naples, FL, Allen Bates of Atlanta, Emily Bates of Murfreesboro, TN; five grandchildren, Sophie and Bates DeYoung, Ava, Nickolas and Chance Porraro; two brothers, Hugh Bates, Jr. and his wife Shelba of Athens, AL and Newton Bates, Sr. and his wife Jenny of Waycross; three step-children, Justin Pearson and his wife Mindy of Waycross, Sean Simpson and his wife Lauren of Knoxville, TN, Thomas Simpson and his wife Heidi of Greenville, SC; seven step-grandchildren, Evan and Jayce Pearson, Caroline and Taylor Simpson, Reagan, Scarlett and Athena Blythe Simpson, longtime family friend, Bill Bennett of Waycross; Sassy, his loyal canine companion; several nephews and other relatives.
Dr. Bates truly and sincerely cared for each of his patients and the family realizes that he touched many people in the community; however, in keeping with Dr. Bates' wishes, a private service will be held at a later date for close family and friends.
Dr. Bates donated generously to causes close to his heart. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home and Crematory
130 Screven Ave
Waycross, Georgia 31501
912-283-2525
www.milesodumfuneralhome.com
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