Don Argil Bates

Don A. Bates of Hopkins, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 3rd, 2024 after a long illness. Known to some as "The Old Man", "Pops", "Big Don", "Grandpa Don" and "Mr. B". He was born to Jay Melvern Bates and LaNeda Rosella Bates (Berg) in Dodge Center Village, MN on May 20, 1938. Preceded in death by his by his wife of 58 years, Martha (2/24/2018), Don is survived by his sons David (Amie), Chris (LeeAnn), and JT (Jennifer), 6 grandchildren, brother Bob (Joyce), and many nieces and nephews. Don graduated from Dodge Center High school in 1956 and then attended Mankato State University where he met his wife Martha. They were married on Christmas Eve of 1960. After a couple of deferments Don was drafted in early 1961. He served in the US Army 1st Infantry Division from 1961-1963, which included 13 very tense days during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After his military service Don returned to the Twin Cities and completed his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education at MacPhail School of Music, becoming one of the last graduates of that school in the summer of 1965. Don began his teaching career in the Waldorf/Pemberton school district where he directed the bands from 1965-1967. In fall of 1967 he started what would become a 32-year career as director of bands in Hopkins School District, first teaching at South Junior High, then Lindbergh High School, West Jr. High, and finishing his career at Hopkins High School in 1999. Throughout the decades Don taught thousands of students, many of whom became professional musicians or music educators, while continuing a legacy of energy, passion, and the love of music to thousands more. While Don taught "band", he inspired so many people in ways they had not experienced, and challenged everyone to perform in ways they didn't know they could. For many people he created a space where they felt a sense of belonging and were always welcome. For years he had a sign over his head that stated, "Give A Damn". When that became inappropriate, he changed it to the simpler "CARE". Don taught the need for humanity and relationships through music. Always willing to listen and offer advice, Don has been cited countless times as one of the teachers in students' lives with whom they made a true connection. Outside of Don's dedicated involvement as a teacher, music drove his life's work. Don started with The Bates Family Band at 7 years old as a vocalist and then trumpet player. The band featured his father Jay on drums, mother LaNeda on Wurlitzer organ, his older sister Judy on saxophone, and later his younger brother Bob on trombone. They played almost every weekend in dancehalls, ballrooms, Quonset huts, and clubs around Southeastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. After his teaching career was off to a solid start Don continued to look for ways to play more music. In 1978 he founded the professional jazz ensemble, The Don Bates Great Big Band, an 18-piece swinging dance band that performed across the Twin Cities for river boat cruises, club dates, a legendary Big Band Battle at the Prom Ballroom vs. the Harry James Orchestra, and a 19-year run at the Landmark Center for the St Paul Civic Symphony's New Years Eve Celebration and fundraiser. He was a charter member, conductor, and Music Director of the Hopkins Westwind Concert band for 29 years. Even though Westwind is a community band and contains musicians of all skill levels, Don was able to elicit emotions and musicality out of the players that sometimes surpassed their technique and stamina, while just looking at them and smiling as if to say, "I knew you could do it, now you know you can as well." During his tenure with Westwind he continued to draw the players and audience closer to the music and closer to each other. After his professional big band slowed down in the early 2000's Don became the conductor and Music Director of the Eden Prairie Jazz on the Prairie Big Band. There was no difference in his approach with any musician, professional or amateur. All were welcome, and all were expected to do their part so that the music was honored and delivered with integrity and love. Always looking for an opportunity to reach people with music, he and Charles Redepenning created the longstanding Hopkins Music in the Park series in Hopkins Downtown Park. The concert series continues to this day and has featured groups led by Don (DBGBB, Westwind Community Band) and hundreds of other groups spanning all genres and generations, and permanently bonding the city of Hopkins and live music. The bandshell in Downtown Park was dedicated to Don on May 18, 2013 in a ceremony honoring Don's 45 years of contributions to music and the arts in Hopkins. Visitation on Tuesday July 9th, 2024 from 4-7pm at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home, 1400 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343. 952-938-9020 Washburn-McReavy.com for more details. Funeral service at 11am on Wednesday July 10th, 2024 at Plymouth Congregational Church 1900 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hopkins High School Band Boosters https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=NPNGMB9MXEVP4 We have also created a simple form where you can share your favorite memories or stories about Don. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3ABP7ANvX9JadqQr9q6ekYZ7AbBMza5MoyDDECekYmAlLxw/viewform The Bates Family will be announcing a Memorial Concert in the near future where there will be a chance for some to play and all to reminisce, share stories and enjoy talking about Don, music and anything else; there might even be cookies. IYKYK. Straight ahead and strive for tone. C'mon PEOPLE!

Tributes

Don Argil Bates

May 20, 1938 - July 3, 2024

Tributes

Don Argil Bates

May 20, 1938 - July 3, 2024

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