Samuel Alvin Bates

Samuel “ALVIN” Bates, 93, of Menan, Idaho died Thursday, August 18, 2005, in Rexburg, Idaho at the Teton House Assisted Living. Alvin was born September 10, 1911, in Ucon, Idaho, a son of Samuel A. Bates and Elizabeth Ann Steele Bates. Alvin attended schools in the Milo, Ucon and at Rigby High School. He married Thelma Alberta Hayes on November 26, 1930, in Rigby, Idaho. He worked at the Lincoln Sugar Factory and farmed in the Idaho Falls area. He farmed in Roberts, Menan, breaking ground on the Menan Buttes, and ranched at Henry’s Lake, St. Anthony and Tendoy. After retirement he spent his winters in Cottonwood, Arizona. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge in Idaho Falls, and bowled with the Rigby Bowling League. Alvin loved to fish, especially fly fishing, spending his time doing yard work and helping others with their yards, and was known for his wood working and the roses that he grew in Cottonwood, Arizona. He is survived by his daughters, Gladys Buckland of Menan, Idaho, Joyce (Clyde) Clifford of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Elizabeth (Mark) Williams of St. Anthony, Idaho; One son, Orrin Bates of Soldotna, Alaska; 23 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Alvin was preceded by his parents, wife Thelma, son Rodney G. Bates, Sisters Emma Millard, and Margaret Veile, Brother William Bates, one grandson and 1 granddaughter and 1 great granddaughter and 1 great grandson. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 22, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. in the Eckersell Memorial Chapel. The family will meet with friends at Eckersell Memorial Chapel from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.