Bates, Ronald K.

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Birth

Ronald K. Bates was born at home in Preston Hollow on Sept. 12, 1940, the oldest of Omar and Theresa (Cook) Bates’s four children. Theresa was the sister of Gladys Cooke. His brother and sister were:

• Randy Bates and his wife, Laura, of Medusa
• Linda Mack of East Durham
• Roxene Corrigan

Education

Ronald K. Bates was educated in a one-room schoolhouse, and later attended Middleburgh Central School, where he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America club.

Death

Ronald Bates died on Sunday, June 17, 2012. He was 71.

Obituary

Ronald K. Bates

RENSSELAERVILLE — Ronald K. “Ronaferd” Bates was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who enjoyed the fast life, and loved to make people laugh.

“He was quick; he’d think of something, and just throw it out there, and you’d just start laughing,” said his son, Ronald “Joey” Bates. “Really quick with a humorous response; whether it was good, bad, sad — he got you laughing.”

Mr. Bates died on Sunday, June 17, 2012. He was 71.

“He liked being social, being out and about,” his son said. “He didn’t like to stay at home; he always wanted to be out doing something.” Born at home in Preston Hollow on Sept. 12, 1940, he was the oldest of Omar and Theresa (Cook) Bates’s four children. He was educated in a one-room schoolhouse, and later attended Middleburgh Central School, where he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America club.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was known as a lover of fast cars, especially his black, 1962 Chevrolet Impala, “with a 409 engine, and a 4 on the floor,” his family wrote in a tribute. Later, he could be seen driving his 1986 Chevrolet IROC-Z Camaro.

Mr. Bates also enjoyed going to the annual Harley Rendezvous in Pattersonville.

“He looked forward to that every year,” said his son. “I think what got him into living the fast life was his first few years in the military. You never know what’s going to happen the next day, so, he chose to live life day-to-day, and have a good time.”

Mr. Bates was a member of Greenville American Legion Post 291, and a past member of Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Company. While employed at GNH Lumber, Mr. Bates was drafted into the United States Army, and part of his duty was driving a USO tour bus across America.

After he was discharged, he joined the Albany County Sheriff ’s Department as a road patrol officer, based at the Voorheesville substation, and then worked as a security guard at Albany International Airport, until he retired.

He later worked as a bus driver for the Cairo-Durham School District, and then drove the Rensselaerville Senior Bus. Said his son, “He just loved being with the other seniors.” He will be remembered “for his keen sense of humor and sharp wit,” his family wrote. “He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”

Mr. Bates is survived by his son, Ronald “Joey” Bates and his wife, Wanda, of Medusa; and his longtime companion, Susan Quinn. Also surviving are his four grandsons: Kyle Bates and his wife, Erika; Keith Bates; Kenneth Bates; and Killian Bates. He is also survived by his great-grandson, Keegan Bates; his close brother, Randy Bates and his wife, Laura, of Medusa; his sister, Linda Mack of East Durham; several nieces, nephews, and greatnephews; and his special cousin, Dot Mickle and her husband, Keith, of Schoharie.

His parents died before him, as did his sister, Roxene Corrigan; his nephew, Padraic Corrigan; and his niece, Becky Mack. Friends called at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville on Wednesday, June 20, and a Legion service was held that evening. A graveside service with military honors will be held today, Thursday, June 21, at 1 p.m. in the Brookside Cemetery in Preston Hollow.

There will be a reception in the Bayard Elsbree Memorial Park in Preston Hollow following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bayard Elsbree Memorial Park, 2979 State Route 145, Preston Hollow, NY 12469. Friends and family may leave condolences at ajcunninghamfh. com.

— Zach Simeone

Altamont Enterprise - Thursday, June 21, 2012

Bates, Ronald K.: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice

Times Union, The (Albany, NY) - Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Deceased Name: Bates, Ronald K.

PRESTON HOLLOW Ronald K. "Roniferd" Bates passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2012. He was born at home in Preston Hollow on September 12, 1940, the first of Omar and Theresa (Cook) Bates' four children. Ronnie was schooled in a one room schoolhouse and later attended Middleburgh Central School, where he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America club. While employed at GNH Lumber he was drafted into the US Army, where a part of his duty was driving a USO tour bus across America. Following his discharge he began his employment with the Albany County Sheriffs Department as a road patrol officer out of the Voorheesville Sub-station, and later worked the security detail at the Albany International Airport until his retirement. He continued as a bus driver for the Cairo-Durham School District until he began his present employment as the driver of the Town of Rensselaerville Senior Bus. He was a member of Greenville American Legion Post 291, and a past member of Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Company. "Roniferd", as he was known to his friends, was a lover of fast cars, his favorite being his black '62 Chevy Impala with a 409 engine and a 4 on the floor. Known for his keen sense of humor and sharp wit, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Roxene Corrigan, a nephew, Padraic Corrigan and a niece, Becky Mack. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his son Ronald "Joey" Bates (Wanda) of Medusa; and his longtime companion Susan Quinn. He was blessed with four grandchildren, Kyle (Erika), Keith, Kenneth and Killian Bates; and a great-grandchild Keagan Bates; also surviving is a brother Randy Bates (Laura) of Medusa; a sister Linda Mack of East Durham; and several nieces, nephews and great-nephews; and his special cousin Dot Mickle (Keith) of Schoharie. Calling hours will be Wednesday, June 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville with a Legion service at 6:30 p.m. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday, June 21 at 1:00 p.m. in the Brookside Cemetery in Preston Hollow. Following the service there will be a reception in the Bayard Elsbree Memorial Park in Preston Hollow. Those who wish to remember Ronald in a special way may contribute in his memory to the Bayard Elsbree Memorial Park, 2979 SR 145, Preston Hollow, NY 12469. Light a candle at ajcunninghamfh.com

Edition: Final Edition Page: B6 Copyright, 2012, (c) Times Union. All Rights Reserved

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