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Roman Bates Jr.

1934 - 2021

Roman Bates Jr. obituary, 1934-2021, Baton Rouge, LA

BORN

1934

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home - Baton Rouge

1553 Wooddale Blvd.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Roman Bates Obituary

The great Lion Heart of former Capitol High School football coach Roman Bates, Jr., finally gave out on Friday, April 2, 2021 after a short but hard-fought battle. He was born on September 18, 1934 in Memphis, Tennessee, the youngest child of the late Roman and Lannie (Kiner) Bates, Sr. His older brother Charles Bates, of Waukegan, IL, survives him. His wife, the late Rose Marie (Keel) Bates, was also a teacher in Baton Rouge. Coach Bates was also predeceased by his brothers, James Pryor and Bruce (Dorothy) Bates of Memphis, and his sisters Ann Pryor Clifton of St. Louis and Veona Pryor Vaughn of Chicago and a baby sister, Dorothy Bates. Many nieces and nephews from his Memphis family will miss their Uncle Roman. In Baton Rouge, he leaves his three children, Sharolyn Bates Hill, Angela Bates and Roman Bates III. He will be missed by grandchildren, Darrell Hill, Shawanda Hill (Henry) Dempsey of Baton Rouge, Kim Hill (Derrick) George of Houston, Brandon Bates, Bradd Bates, Roman Bates IV, and Ariel Monet-Marie Bates, all of Baton Rouge, along with several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Special family members, Alice Ann Fesmire, his life partner of 25 years, and Monica Lynn Clark Bates also mourn his passing. In 1954 Roman Bates, Jr. graduated from Melrose High School in Memphis, where he was twice captain of state championship football teams. He won a football and track scholarship to Southern University, where he was named to the Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, he held bachelor's, master's, and master's +30 degrees from Southern University. Coach Bates was head football coach of the Capitol High School Lions for 34 years, and also taught at West High School in Jackson, LA in 1966-67, and coached at Christian Life Academy in 2002. He was the original coach of the NAFL semi-pro Baton Rouge Eagles football team in 2005-2006. After retiring, Coach Bates worked part-time for BREC, coordinating football clinics for Doug Williams and Warrick Dunn. After winning numerous district and regional championships through the years, the CHS Lions were state 4A runners-up in 1999. That year Coach Bates was district, metro, and 4A state coach of the year. A member of the Louisiana prep football's 200-Win Club, Coach Bates retired from Capitol High in 2000 with the 13th best all-time win-loss record in the state. After coaching one season at Christian Life Academy, his lifetime record was 225-158-6 for 35 years in coaching with a winning percentage of .586 over a total of 389 games. Visitation will be held on April 9 from 3 to 7 pm at Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home with COVID protocols observed. Private family services will be held at Living Faith Christian Center, 6375 Winbourne Ave., on April 10 at 11 am with the Rev. Fred Jeff Smith officiating, after which Coach Bates will be laid to rest at Southern Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Darrell Cummings, Darrell Garner, Charles Jefferson, Kevin Morrison, Alvin Stewart, Benny "Who" Stewart, Telly Wells, Keith Woods, and Byron K. Carter. Coach Bates' former players are honorary pallbearers.

Published by The Advocate from Apr. 3 to Apr. 4, 2021.
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Memories and Condolences
for Roman Bates

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We the family of Roman “Coach” Bates, Jr. wish to express our sincerest gratitude. We warmly thank everyone for comforting words and genuine acts of kindness during our time of bereavement. Whether it was through prayer, cards, phone calls, flowers, food, drinks, visits, repast or messages we are grateful. It is our prayer that GOD continues to bless each of you.

R.I.P – “Roman in Paradise”

Kimaniece Hill-George

Grandchild

April 12, 2021

Coach Bates was a Great man/coach. He made you laugh about his life stories. He will be missed but Never Forgotten. RIP my Friend ❤

Shirley Knighten

Coworker

April 11, 2021

Rest in peace Coach and condolences to the Bates' family. I'll always remember Coach Bates as a person who loved his players and coaching. He left a possitive impact on me and I'm saddened by his passing.

Toney Royal

Student

April 10, 2021

HUGS & PRAYERS TO COACH BATES FAMILY. SOME TIMES THERE ARE NO WORDS & THIS IS ONE OF THEM. PLEASE KNOW YOU ALL ARE IN OUR PRAYERS. THE DAIGRE FAMILY ( ROSE, ANDREW & BRENDA DAIGRE).

Brenda Daigre

Friend

April 10, 2021

Rest In Peace Coach Bates. Bates family so sorry for you loss. This won’t be easy, but your memories and life lessons he taught you will help in the days ahead, Blessings!

Deborah LeBlanc

Student

April 10, 2021

Rest In Peace Coach Bates. Bates family so sorry for you loss. This won’t be easy, but your memories and life lessons he taught you will help in the days ahead, Blessings!

Deborah LeBlanc

Student

April 10, 2021

TO THE BATES FAMILY MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE LOSS OF THE BEST CAPITOL HIGH LION FOOTBALL COACH YOU WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED FOR YOU HAVE COACHED SO MANY YOUNG MEN WHO HAVE GROWN INTO RESPONSIBLE MEN HAIL DEAR CAPITOL MAY RED AND GOLD FOREVER WAVE GODSPEED

P A

Friend

April 9, 2021

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Alyssa Pate Nelson

Student

April 9, 2021

To a wonderful person who loved his job and his students. Thank you for being you, gone but never forgotten.

Sharletha Palmer

Student

April 9, 2021

I have met you several times. I just want to thank God for putting you in my husband Rev Segmund Freeman life. I have heard a lot about you and thank you for putting your All into the kids you coached. You was a part of making Segmund the man he is right now! Such a Great man!! I am praying for the family to have wisdom, knowledge and understanding of what you all going through. This is not the end you will see him again and he will be with you all. God Bless! You can and cannot do nothing without God. Lean on Him HIS arms are opened wide for you!! Seek Him!!

Tamika Freeman

Friend

April 9, 2021

One love. Sympathy to the entire family. One love.

Cornelius Comeaux

Family

April 8, 2021

Best Coach you ever wanted to know.

Cynthia Francois

Student

April 8, 2021

As Coach Bates has made his transition, we are left to mourn his passing and celebrate the legacy of a giant. Coach had that special way of making even a minor athlete such as I was feel like a major part of the team. RIP Coach. To Bubba and the entire family may God’s grace give you strength and peace during this difficult time. - Marvin and Robin Wallace

Marvin Wallace

Friend

April 7, 2021

Well Done Coach Bates

Tammie James Alexander

Student

April 6, 2021

"Winning is a battle, not a dream." This is the first thing you saw when you walked into the Capitol High School Golden Lion locker room when I was blessed to play for Coach Bates. Little did I know he was preparing us not just for football, but for life. At Southern University, I found out Coach Bates was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., an All-American football player & Captain of A.W. Mumford's championship team. I became an Alpha to follow in his footsteps. I am proud to be one of his many "sons". My condolences to my teammate & classmate of 1977 Roman "Bubba" Bates, and to the Bates family. Thank you for sharing him with us.

Cedric Holloman

Student

April 6, 2021

Roman was a good coach and good person

Bretha Jones

Student

April 6, 2021

To our family, who will become the greatest story teller now? My uncle was so detailed with his stories. After my Dad (his brother) would get off the hour long calls he will still be laughing from their conversations. It was amazing to witness such close brotherly love.
What a wonderful legacy!
Love your brother Charles & niece Trudi

Charles Bates Sr

Brother

April 5, 2021

SERVICE LOCATION HAS CHANGED: On behalf of the family, we want to inform everyone, the service location has changed. Live stream will be available as well. We are so honored for the outpour of love received for Coach Bates. The comments and condolences are heart-felt. He touched so many lives over the years, we are forever grateful for the memories we've all shared with him.
Services:
Living Faith Christian Center
6375 Winbourne Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70805
April 10th @ 11:00am

Kim Hill-George

Grandchild

April 5, 2021

Very few people get to work and make a living doing whatever their Passion is. Coach Bates Truly loved the Game of Football and Im proud to say I was one of his Players. " RIP COACH"

malcom carter

Student

April 5, 2021

Coach Roman Bates Jr. will be missed. He was a man of great character and discipline. Plus he knew how to get the best from all of his players. He taught us to love and protect one another and whatever he said. Was Law! I appreciate the fact that he loved each of us as his own and he was always willing to encourage us to be great men after football. I was honored to play for him and we built a bond that will last for all eternity. I still apply the life lessons and his sayings in and on my life. As a result of God sending him my way. I am a better all around human being. I never understood how could a man hold all that power and work the way he did. But now I understand that he truly believed in making a difference in the lives that he was able to touch. He would often tell us that "Tough times do not last long but tough people do," and as we all can see. He was blessed to work through any adversity that crossed his path. It is sad to say that The Legend has left the building!

Rev. Segmund J. Freeman

Student

April 5, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Charla Smith

Family

April 5, 2021

He was a awesome couch. He always tried to help all his students if he could. He was a great person. He touched a lot of lives. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. God Bless...

LILLIE NICHOLAS JOHNESE

Student

April 5, 2021

He was a good coach and good man we al going to miss him❤❤❤❤

Kenneth Andre Martin

Friend

April 5, 2021

Coach Bates was my coach for 3 years at capital high school from 1970 to1973. I played middle line backer for him and he taught me the game of like. I will missed you coach and have a safe journey to your everlasting resting place.

Varel Gerome Jackson

Student

April 4, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Susan Banford Ratcliff and Family

Acquaintance

April 4, 2021

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Ronnell and Patricia Briggs

Student

April 4, 2021

From a "Purple Knight to a Golden Lion" you will be truly miss luv ya Coach ! Thanks for everything , Joe Bean

Joe Bean

April 4, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Susan Banford Ratcliff

Acquaintance

April 4, 2021

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Cynthia Marie Torrence Mars and Family

Student

April 4, 2021

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Donnettia Houston Thomas, Scotlandville Class of 1971

Acquaintance

April 4, 2021

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Elaine Pounds Thomas

Friend

April 4, 2021

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Delores Johnson -Grisby, A T@T Operator

Acquaintance

April 4, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ruby Torrence Morrow and Family

Acquaintance

April 4, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

David Torrence and Family

Acquaintance

April 4, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Brenda Strahan

Friend

April 4, 2021

To the Bates Family I give you my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Whenever the clouds come around don’t hesitate to say, “ Lord have mercy”.

Shelia Dudley

Friend

April 4, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Kenneth Andre Martin

Friend

April 3, 2021

Coach was such a kind hearted man whose coaching and life experience stories I will truly miss.

Ingrid Ivory

Friend

April 3, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Roger Phillips

Coworker

April 3, 2021

Showing 1 - 39 of 39 results

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Memorial Events
for Roman Bates

Apr

9

Visitation

3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home - Baton Rouge

1553 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Apr

10

Service

11:00 a.m.

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church

LA 70806

Funeral services provided by:

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home - Baton Rouge

1553 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

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