James Gilbert Bates' Obituary
The last of the Bates brothers, James, dies at age 95
One of the grand old men of Valley Center, James Gilbert Bates, has died at the age of 95. Mr. Bates was the last of the five Bates brothers who founded Valley Center's most well known and iconic business, Bates Nut Farm.
Mr. Bates was born February 28, 1920 and died September 3, 2015 peacefully in the family home on Woods Valley Road. He grew up near that house and insisted he would only leave it "feet first." His daughter, Kathy Bates-Lande, who was his caregiver his last years, honored that wish.
Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 72 years, Margaret Bates, parents Gilbert & Beatrice Bates, and brothers Clarence, Clifford, Edgar, and William Bates.
Born in San Diego, James moved to Valley Center in 1921. He was 1 year old when his father bought what would eventually be Bates Nut Farm. He grew up there and was co-owner. He eventually sold his share to his brother Clifford.
Mr. Bates graduated from the old Escondido High School in 1939, where he met his future bride and love of his life, Margaret. They married in 1942, in Yuma, Arizona.
Mr. Bates served in World War II in the U.S. Army and was discharged in 1943. According to his daughter, Kathy, "He was stationed in Emeryville (in Northern California) in the motor pool. He was kept stateside because he had a hernia. He was great working on vehicles. Since all the men were gone, there was no one to pick the crops and my uncle Clifford got him an honorable discharge to come home and pick the crops."
At the Valley Center Museum is a wall hanging Mr. Bates's mother made during WWII and which used to hang in the ValleyCenter Community Hall. It has a star for each community member who served. Mr. Bates was always proud that his mother made that, and one of the stars represented him.
He returned to Valley Center as co-owner of the family ranch, Bates Brothers Nut Farm. In later years he worked in Escondido as a foreman at Mission Industries and Golf Craft.
He was active in Valley Center 4-H and served on the Valley Center School Board (in the 1960s for at least two terms). He was a member of the Elks Club, the Grasshopper Club (a camping club that was an offshoot of the Elks), and enjoyed camping, gardening, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
"The most significant thing for my dad was my mother," recalls Kathy. "They were married for seventy-two years. They met in high school and she was the love of his life." Upon the occasion of their 70th anniversary, the couple was asked the secret to a long and happy marriage. Both agreed: "Be kind to one another. Don't put yourself first. Work together. Enjoy your family. We have the best children and spouses that anybody could ask for."
Mr. Bates made many friends during his long life and kept in touch with them. He always attended his high school reunions. Last May when Escondido High School had their all class reunion they honored him and two others from the class of 1939. He was able to attend, although in a wheelchair.
Daughter Kathy recalls when Mr. Bates would chaperone the 4-H kids at the Del Mar Fair. "That was really memorable for me. He was always really funny and wherever he went people liked him and would have fun stories to tell about his one liner jokes. He was a lot of fun to be around," she said.
Another daughter, Diana Anderson added, "If I were going to describe my dad I would say: Quick witted; people always laughed at his quips and one liners. Honest. He believed people should be able to trust him, and his word. Hard working, he would work forty hours a week at his job, then work at the Nut Farm on his time off."
Mr. Bates would rise early and get his children up early picking walnuts. When he and Margaret purchased their house on Woods Valley Road they grew navel and Valencia oranges (the navel is a winter fruit and the Valencia a summer fruit) and sold them to Rube Nelson's Market in Escondido. They had a roadside stand at the same time as they worked at the nut farm. Motorists would stop and buy the oranges. People still tell family members that they grew the best oranges they ever ate.
Margaret sold Rawleigh Products, a company that made spices, liniments and salves. She drove to customers around the North County and the Backcountry in the early 1950s. They sold products from a panel truck. They would sometimes put camping gear in the truck and drive to Michigan to visit other Bates family members.
The entire family worked at walnut harvesting time. Margaret worked at the sorting belt. The store sold walnut meat to stores and shells were spread on the driveway to keep the dust down. According to one family member the Bates were the only family in the area with a driveway of crushed walnut shells.
According to Diana, "My dad loved Valley Center, especially the Nut Farm, where he grew up. Eventually he moved off the farm and raised his family a short distance away, but was always going down there 'to check on things.' To the end of his life he loved to wear his Bates Nut Farm hat, always proud to share stories with anybody that asked about it (or even if they didn't ask!)."
He was a cribbage champ with family, and friends. Diana describes playing a few hands with him shortly before he died. "Although confused by dementia, not remembering the rules, I let him win one last time. He looked up at me and smiled 'I'm still the Champ, aren't I?' Yes Dad, you are."
Kathy added, "I would describe him as a kind, happy man. My dad was always upbeat, he always had something nice and wonderful to say to everyone he met. He had an immense amount of gratitude about life. He told me he was hoping to make it to 100. I was his caretaker and so he was able to stay in the family home. When the mortuary came I put that cap on his head, they took him out feet first. He said that was the only way he would go."
Margaret and James raised four children, Dennis, Diana, Kathy and Gayle. Survivors include his children: Dennis (Leo) Bates, Diana (Ron) Anderson, Kathy (Doug) Bates-Lande, Gayle (Marianne) Bates, 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on November 1, 2015, 11 a.m. at Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center. You are invited to make charitable contributions to the Elizabeth Hospice, Escondido CA. For information call 760-737-2050. Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. There will be a private interment at the Valley Center Cemetery.
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