James E. Bates, 83, of Derry, passed away Friday, March 15, 2024, at Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville. Born July 18, 1940, in Latrobe, he was a son of the late Thomas E. Bates and Sarah (Keim) Bates. For over 50 years, Jim had been a member of Latrobe Community Ministries. Prior to his retirement from Greater Latrobe School District, he had taught at the Greater Latrobe Junior High School for 30 years. He was a longtime photographer for the Latrobe Bulletin and also managed the food and boating concessions at state parks across the state for many years. An avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he loved photographing training camp and home games, and was privileged to travel and photograph three Steelers' Superbowl games. Along with enjoying photography, he also enjoyed camping and fishing. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jack G. Bates. Jim is survived by his wife, Janice L. (Brumbaugh) Bates of Derry; one son, Jack M. Bates (Rosalie) of Osceola, PA; one daughter, Judy B. Scavino (Hugo) of Florida; four grandchildren, Paul Scavino, Carl Scavino, Thomas Bates (Marlene), and Sarah Bates; and two sisters, Joellyn Supancic (William) of Penn and Janette McDowell of Vancouver, WA. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM Wednesday at the LOPATICH-BRINKER FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 601 Weldon Street, Latrobe. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Thursday in the funeral home with Pastor Tom Shrum officiating. Private interment will be at Unity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Latrobe Community Ministries, 440 Main Street, Latrobe, PA 15650. To sign the online guest book, send condolences, or share a story, please visit www.lopatichbrinker.com To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.