Obituary of Curtis Leon Bates Jr.

Curtis Leon Bates Jr. 78, of Madison, MS passed away on November 4, 2018 while surrounded by his family.  A visitation honoring Curt will be held Wednesday November 07, 2018 from 1-2 P.M. at First Baptist Church in Madison, MS. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2P.M.  on Tuesday at The First Baptist Church of Madison, MS. Graveside will follow at the Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery in Madison, MS.

Curt was born on March 20, 1940 in Birmingham, AL to the late Mr. Curtis Leon Bates Sr & Mrs. Lois Bates McAllister.

Curt was raised in Birmingham, AL and enjoyed both swimming and football in high school, as well as, an active social life. Curt was always well liked by everyone who knew him. Following high school, Curt attended the University of Alabama, where he became the first person in his family to earn a college degree, finishing in 1966 with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and a Minor in Money and Banking.  Curt also served in the United States Army where he was a specialist in tank weaponry. 

After college, Curt began his career with American Can Company in Appleton, Wisconsin. He moved from Tuscaloosa, AL to Appleton in January. You can imagine the choice words he had for that snowy experience! In the late 1960’s, Curt moved to New York City, where he became known by his friends as the cute guy with a great accent, and an expert at shag dancing on a sawdust floor.  Soon after, Curt was hired by Kraft foods to sell individual cheese wrappers.  By now, he was honing his skills to become the greatest salesman in the world. He would have to, if he was going to survive solely on selling cheese wrappers. 

Eventually Curt was hired by Gordon Table and White Furniture Company as a manufacturer’s representative.  Curt had found his passion. He loved the furniture business. It brought out all his gifts, and he absolutely flourished in this industry. He continued to love selling furniture until he retired in 2006. 

During his life, Curt was an active runner and fisherman, as well as, a voracious reader, but we all know his first love was golf.  He was great at it and played all over America and even a few places in Europe. Golf kept him young and active well into his seventies. Curt’s passion for golf was exceeded only by his fervent love and devotion to his family. He adored his people! His hospitality and zest for life were contagious. Curt made everything more fun and poured so much life and laughter into his wife, his children and his grandchildren. He was a words of affirmation guy and encouraging his family and friends was his gift. Curt Bates was one of a kind. A true treasure and he will be deeply missed.

Curt is preceded in passing by his parents, Mr. Curtis Leon Bates Sr & Mrs. Lois Bates McAllister, and his beloved wife of 25 years, Ann McLeod Bates.

Curt is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Elizabeth “Libby” Howard Bates and children Lynn Snuggs (Jason Snuggs), Mark Bates (Amy Bates), Dave Howard (Brooke Howard), Laurie Dunford (Danny Dunford), Julie Murphy (Michael Murphy). Curt adored his eight grandchildren, Matthew, Will, Mia, Emily, Elijah, Madeline, Carter and Callie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Children’s of Mississippi. https://www.umc.edu/Childrens/Childrens-Home-Page.html