James ""Jim"" Alan Bates

James (Jim) Alan Bates, entrepreneur, retired local educator, and beloved husband, father, and brother, died on Feb. 10, after a battle with cancer. He passed away at his home in Spring Hill, Florida, surrounded by his family and pets. He was 70.

Born on May 22, 1945 in Tarrytown, New York, James was the son of Claude (Chuck) H. Bates and Dorothy Bates Aksamit. He graduated from Sleepy Hollow High School in 1963 and from the State University of New York College at Oswego in 1967 with a degree in Education.

Jim began his career as an elementary school teacher at Monsey, NY, before relocating to Three Mile Bay, NY and teaching sixth grade at Lyme Central School in Chaumont for 10 years. Jim moved to Spring Hill, FL in 1980, and he taught second and fifth grade at Westside Elementary School until his retirement in 2008.

In addition to his career as a teacher, Jim was also a certified clock technician. He developed an interest in clocks, coins, and antiques in his youth, and he quickly turned his hobby into a thriving business. He opened Jim’s Clock Repair in the 1960s, and he helped countless family members, friends, and customers with their clocks in Hernando and Pasco Counties, in Florida, and in Jefferson County, New York.

Jim married his wife, Gwendolyn, on July 1, 1995, in a lovely outdoor ceremony at Point Peninsula, NY, and they recently celebrated their 20th anniversary.

Jim is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Joyce Boykin-Bates, of Spring Hill, FL; his son and daughter-in-law, James Anderson Bates and Katherine D. Keating, of Melbourne, Australia; his brother and sister-in-law, David and Joanne Bates, of New York; his nephew, Peter Bates, of Canton, CT; his niece, Darol Bates, of Ridgefield, CT; two great-nieces; and one great-nephew.

A celebration of life will be held this month at the Family First Assembly, in Spring Hill. Additionally, a celebration of life will be held in Three Mile Bay, NY, this summer. Arrangements are with Merritt Funeral Home in Spring Hill.

Arrangements by

Merritt Funeral Home

Spring Hill Chapel

(352) 686-6649

"Family Owned & Operated"

www.merrittfuneral.com

Contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to HPH Hospice, 12260 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34613.