James Roy Bates

James Roy Bates, 82, of Laurel, MD Died on April 3, 2025. Son of Wilbur Bates and Merle Irene (Stouffer) Bates (both deceased); Married 53 years to Marilyn (Ewing) Bates; Loving father of Jennifer Bates Smith (Jimmy Smith) and Mark Ewing Bates (Dawn Bates); Beloved Grandfather of Jimmy Smith Jr, Rebecca Smith, Ryan Smith, Megan Bates, Robert Bannon, and Phillip Bannon; Brother of Robert R. Bates. 1960 Graduate of Derry High School; Retired from the U.S. Department of Labor in 2000. Veteran who faithfully served in the U.S. Navy 1964-1968 at the Naval Security Station in Washington DC.

Relatives and friends may visit the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, MD, 20707 on Monday, April 7 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. A funeral service will be held in the chapel at Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. on Tuesday, April 8 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maryland School for the Blind in honor of James Roy Bates.

Maryland School for the Blind
3501 Taylor Avenue, Baltimore MD 21236
Email: info@mdschblind.org
Web: https://www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org/support-us/