Obituary of Robert-Lee Bates

ROBERT LEE BATES - FAIRFAX/ GEORGIA - Robert Lee Bates, a longtime area resident, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in the UVM Medical Center, surrounded by his family. Born on Jan. 10, 1952, in St. Albans, he was the son of Eugene Bates and the late Marion (Sartwell) Bates. Robert was 63 years old. Robert was involved in fire service, belonging to the Georgia Volunteer Fire Department and a former member of the St. Albans City Fire Department Call Force. He was an avid outdoorsman, whether it was camping with his family, hunting, fishing, or helping his brother maple sugaring. He loved going to auctions, operating his own moving company, and liked to deal in antiques. The last several years he was a long haul trucker. Robert was a long time member of the Georgia Plain Baptist Church and Sportsman's Club of Franklin County. His greatest enjoyment was being with his grandkids. Survivors include his father, Eugene Bates of St. Albans; his daughter, Heather Andrews and her husband, Carl, of Milton; and his grandchildren, Cody, Nicholas, Carl Jr., Noah, and his little princess, Alexandra. He is also survived by his brother, Mark Bates and his wife, Cheryl, and their family of Fairfield; and his sister, Bonnie Combs and her husband, Wesley, and their family of Westford; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Robert was preceded in death by his mother, Marion, on Oct. 29, 2014. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday, March 16, 2015, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main St., St. Albans. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, it was Robert's wish that memorials be made to the Georgia Volunteer Fire Department, 47 Town Common Rd. No., St. Albans, VT 05478.