James Lynn Bates

James Lynn Bates, age 59, went on to be with God on Saturday, November 2, 2019.  He was born in Portsmouth, VA to Billy Wayne Bates and Jettie Evelyn Burgin on December 11, 1959.  

James graduated from I. C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth in 1978.  James always had an interest in media and telecommunications.  He began working for AT&T in 1986 as an operator.  Later he would become an IT specialist for them, IBM, and American Airlines.  James lived in Virginia for the first 20 plus years of his life in the cities of Portsmouth, Fredericksburg, and Leesburg.  He later moved to Peachtree Corners, GA.

James was beloved by many for his outgoing charm, wit, smile, laugh, and tender heart to anyone he met.  James loved people and blessed any public gathering with the love he gave to others.  He was an avid gardener and an excellent cook.  He loved the ocean, seafood, and fishing; gladly casting a lure whenever he could.  He loved 70s and 80’s music.  He enjoyed thinking outside of the box.  James loved animals and provided for dozens of them over his lifetime.  James was a great genealogist for his family, always connecting our history with that of generations past.  He loved to tinker with cars.  Most of all, he loved his two children, Aja and Finn.  We will miss seeing him laugh.  We will miss the way he regularly checked up on us to see if we were well.  We will miss his openness of spirit and welcoming hospitality to all people, regardless of their race, color, gender, or beliefs. 

Among his survivors are his 2 children, Aja (Peachtree Corners, GA) and Finn (Peachtree Corners, GA); his ex-wives, Deborah (Peachtree Corners, GA) and Lisa Shreiner (Greensboro, NC); his father Bill of Fredericksburg; 2 brothers Daryl Bates (Stafford, VA), and Bruce Bates (Cumberland, RI); and several loving nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his brother Lawrence (Portsmouth, VA) and his mother Evelyn (Fredericksburg, VA) 

A memorial service will be held at the Norfolk Church of Christ, on Saturday, November 23 at 1:30pm.  The family will receive friends beginning at 12 noon until the service time.  Memorials can be sent to the church there at 5801 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23505

An additional service will be held in Atlanta, GA.  The time and place to be announced.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Lynn Bates, please visit our floral store.