Russell Bates Jr

Russell Bates, Jr.Funeral services for Russell Bates, Jr., 91, of Monroe, will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, June 29, 2015, in the Mausoleum Chapel of Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery of Monroe, LA. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home of Monroe. Mr. Bates passed away Friday, June 26, 2015, at his home. He was a graduate of Oklahoma State University. Mr. Bates’ first job was working at Ford, Bacon and Davis as a Draftsman and Mechanical Engineer; that is what brought him to Monroe. He then became a Construction Engineer Project Manager for Columbia Carbon Division, building plants all over the world from the ground up until completion. He was an avid bowler, fisherman, hunter, sportsman and master woodworker. He worked year round building wooden toys to donate to the Salvation Army for Christmas and donated them anonymously. He was a founding member of First Christian Church of Monroe. He was a decorated combat Army veteran of WWII. Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his first wife, Albertina Mae Balsmier Bates; sister, Florence Elizabeth Bates; and brother George Edward Bates. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Bates; sister, Mary Catherine Donnely; children, Candee Hickerson; Frederick Bates and wife, Patricia; grandchildren, Jessica Hickerson; Windy Hickerson; Candee Hickerson, Jr.; and Rachell Rene Cooper; great grandchildren, Abigail Grant, Ethan Grant and Kylie Hickerson; caregiver and friend, Evelyn Byrd and Goddaughter, Suzanne Back. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Mulhearn Funeral Home of Monroe.Memorials may be made to First Christian Church of Monroe.Signed: John HenryOnline Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.comMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington RoadMonroe, LA