Elwood "Sam" Floyd Bates

Elwood “Sam” Floyd Bates, 82, of Rigby passed away Saturday, December 18, 2010, at his winter home in El Mirage, Arizona. Sam was born April 7, 1928, in Rexburg, Idaho to Floyd Joshua and Eliza Mae Bates. He was one of four children. He grew up in Rexburg, Idaho. On September 29, 1950 he married Ione Carter in Thomas, Idaho. Together they raised 3 boys in St. Anthony and Rigby, ID. Sam served in and retired from the U.S. National Guard and retired with the Idaho State Highway Department. Sam and Ione loved the outdoors and went camping, boating, fishing, water & snow skiing, golfing, traveling and their daily walks every morning together. He was a simple man and truly enjoyed the simple things in life. He was a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. He is survived by his sons; Kelly Bates of Idaho Falls, ID, Steve & Chris Bates of Glendale, AZ and Brent Bates of Idaho Falls, ID; a brother Lynn Bates of Smithfield, UT, sister Verna Neff of Rigby, ID, 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Ione Bates, (March 3, 2009), by his parents and his sister Beverly Webster Cullum. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 6, 2011, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, Rigby. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday evening and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. Out of respect for his wife, Ione, who died of Alzheimer’s Disease, Memorial contribution may be made thru the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org in lieu of flowers.