Edwin L. Bates

Edwin LeRoy Bates, son of Don Arnold Bates was born March 7, 1943 in Grimes, Iowa, and died at his home in Windsor Heights, Iowa, July 11, 2009 at the age of 66 years, 4 months and 4 days. Ed attended Johnston High School, graduating in 1961. While in high school he lettered in four sports and his interest in sports continued all his life. At the age of 16 his father died and Ed went to work at Ashton Wholesale, building windows, to help support his mother and siblings while continuing his education. On June 7, 1963 Ed married Sharon Mae Wilson in Des Moines. They were parents of three children, Susan, Edwin IV, and Donald. After marriage he continued to work for Ashton Wholesale. He worked for various gas stations, developing an interest in cars. In 1974, Ed went to work for NAPA as a counter man, were he stayed for 31 years until retiring at age 62. Ed was also a member of the West Des Moines Auxiliary Police Force for a time. In his spare time Ed enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, working on cars, racing, and watching sports. He is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Thelma; a grandson, Matthew Bates on October 7, 1993 and a sister Carolyn Sinn. Ed is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sharon, sons: Donald (Tanya) of Des Moines, Edwin IV (Lisa) of Waukee; a daughter Susan Bates-Staudt (Terry) of Rockford; grandchildren, Jake Staudt, Jarrod Buhr, Chelsea Bates, Zachary Bates, Amanda Bates, Dylan Drew, Allison Bates, Ashley Bates, Donald Bates Jr., Gabriel Bates, Arianna Bates, and Dakota Bates. He is also survived by brothers Dean (Betty) Sinn of Wyoming, Howard Benson (Zola) of Des Moines; sisters Nellie Hicks of Texas, Sharon Ferguson of Oklahoma and a brother-in-law John (Peggy) Wilson of Perry and other relatives and friends.