This story appeared in The Times Free Press on Friday, January 12, 2001 12:00:00 AM
Conrad Bates dies; longtime local educator
Conrad Wood Bates, 93, of Chattanooga, longtime vice principal at Chattanooga High School, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2001, at his home.
He was born June 16, 1907, in Hohenwald, Tenn., and had a 45-year teaching career, having been a physics teacher at Chattanooga High School for 34 years. He earned a B. S. Degree from Tennessee Tech and a master's degree in chemistry from Peabody. He continued graduate studies at Case Institute and Cornell University. He was pictured in Life Magazine in August 1945, for teaching pre-flight aeronautics during WWII.
In the summer months, Mr.. Bates taught master's degree students at several colleges including Memphis State, Tennessee Tech and Peabody. He had received numerous awards in his profession. Among them is Outstanding Physics Teacher of the Year for 1985 by the American Association of Physics Teachers, Tennessee Section. Mr.. Bates was a Sunday school teacher and elder at Central Church of Christ. He served as a part-time minister, preaching in more than 86 Churches of Christ since 1932. In his later years, Mr.. Bates enjoyed extensive travel and was an avid golfer, scoring a hole-in-one two days before his 92nd birthday.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Cox Bates and his grandson, Steven Wood Phelan.
He is survived by two daughters, Connie Louise Phelan of Marietta, GA., and Mary Lynn Carter of Chattanooga; five grandchildren, Robin Phelan of Kingsport, Tenn., Shannon Phelan of Washington, D. C., Rich Phelan of Marietta, GA., Scott Carter and Alan Carter both of Chattanooga.
Services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Church of Christ, 400 Vine St., with David Schonhoff and Gene Arnold officiating.
Burial will be at Chattanooga Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Church of Christ; Martin-Boyd Christian Center; or Boyd-Buchanan Science Fund.
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