Obituary of Carl Wayne Bates

He was a long time resident of Colorado with homes he built in Denver, Lakewood, Morrison and Littleton. Carl reached the age of 96 before his departure. He was widowed on September 19, 2019 after 70 years of marriage to Ruby, the love of his life. He is survived by four daughters; Becky Bates-Lessman (husband Larry), Barbara White (husband Charlie), Beverly Boecher (husband Carl) and Bonnie Bates-Jones (husband Rick), three grandchildren; Vanessa, Andrea and Tyler, five great grandchildren Nathan, Madison, Drake, Millie and Garrett.

Carl was the second eldest and oldest son of Chester and Madonna (Jordan) Bates from Humeston, Iowa. He is survived by his older sister Juanita (Irene) Walitalo. He was preceded in death by six younger brothers. Carl’s life was one of overcoming difficult challenges. He was responsible for his younger siblings during the end of the Great Depression while his father was a traveling salesman and his mother taught school. He was responsible for dairy operations, milking cows, tending sheep and all maintenance around the farm.

At the age of 14, he moved to Denver with his father. He hauled coal, delivered movie theater popcorn and worked construction with his dad as Bates and Sons Construction Inc. His dad would find the jobs and Carl would complete them before, after and during breaks from school. The remainder of the family moved to Denver within a couple of years and Carl’s brothers joined Bates and Sons. Eventually all boys supported their families with skills learned in the construction trade. Carl graduated from West High School in Denver and continued with two years at DU in pre-med with a dream of becoming a doctor. Unfortunately, he had to give up higher education to make a living.

At age 22, Carl met Ruby Francis Ridinger, a student at DU. They married on December 11, 1949. Dad insisted mom was his birthday present. They chose to buy a travel trailer and explore the United States visiting 47 of the 50 states, working as they traveled. In 1953 Ruby became pregnant with their first child (Becky) so they returned to Denver, establishing CW Bates Construction. This company supported their family through retirement with commercial buildings, residential homes as well as the building of four of their own homes. Carl was a general contractor and multi specialty tradesman. Ruby covered office duties and accounting while both of them drew and updated plans to meet customer’s expectations. Carl and Ruby instilled good work ethics and “can do” attitudes in all of their daughters.

Over the years the family enjoyed water skiing at Lake Loveland with picnics on the beach, snow skiing, camping, horseback riding with pack trips and Gymkhanas. After a hard day of work or play, Dad enjoyed stopping at Dairy Queen for ice cream cones with his girls. Carl and Ruby enjoyed sharing nature and the love of animals with their daughters. They purchased 10 acres in Morrison, CO and turned the acreage and the home into their dream pleasure ranch. They raised six horses, five dogs, two cats and were visited frequently by elk herds, deer herds and occasional turkeys. Carl made sure his daughters were trained in hunter safety and received their certifications for firearm handling.

Carl and Ruby enjoyed friendships established with their neighbors and participation in square dance clubs. Carl joined the Jefferson County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse. The posse provided law enforcement support along with missing person search and rescue and crowd control. They participated in Denver parades and the Denver, CO to Cheyenne, WY Pony Express relay competition. Carl was key in helping the Jeffco Posse win multiple years in a row.

Ruby loved to travel, they traveled to Caribbean islands, Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong and after retirement by fifth-wheel travel trailer throughout the US, Canada, Alaska and Mexico. They enjoyed a winter home in Val Vista, Mesa AZ where they assisted other residents as park rangers.

After the daughters started their careers and married, they sold their beloved ranch and moved into a patio home in Littleton CO. The patio home was near medical care, shopping, dining and recreational/entertainment options. Soon after their move, they were diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease. Carl remained in their home after Ruby’s death with in-home care until moving to Seven Lakes Memory Care in Loveland CO a few years later.

Check back in May 2024 for Celebration of Life information. 

In leiu of flowers please feel free to make a donation in Carls name to : Alzheumers Association. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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