Press-Enterprise
October 8, 2017
Benjamin Henry Bates, of Sun City, California, passed away peacefully at the age of 84, on Wednesday, October 4, 2017. He was born September 4, 1933, in Texas, to the late Herman C. Bates Sr., and the late Mattie Lou Thompson Anglin.
Ben is survived by his loving fiancée, Valerie McGee; daughter, Bliss; sons, Brandon, Eddie, and Ben Jr.; brothers, Charles and Bill Bates; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Herman C. Bates Jr. and John Bates.
A Memorial Visitation will be held Monday, October 9, 2017, from 10 AM - 12 PM, at Miller-Jones Mortuary, Sun City, California, followed by a Funeral Service at Menifee Bible Church, Sun City, California, at 1 PM. Ben will be laid to rest in Texas.
Ben proudly served his country in the Navy during the Korean conflict. He operated heavy equipment during the week and rodeoed on weekends, setting arena records and winning championship buckles. Ben qualified for the National Finals Rodeo twice in Steer Wrestling.
Ben was the Marlboro Man, appeared in many TV commercials, was the Stunt Double for James Arness for 25 years, and worked as a Stuntman and Stunt Coordinator in movies and television series. Ben was very involved with his children's rodeo activities, and served 2 terms as President of the Junior Rodeo Association of California. Recently, Ben was honored with the Silver Spur Award in Hollywood, from the Reel Cowboys. In Dodge City, Kansas, he was sworn in as a Special Deputy Dodge City Marshal and, Ben was honored with a medallion on The Dodge City Trail of Fame. Ben was a hard working family man, a Christian, and very loving and honorable. He touched many people's lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch.
BATES, Ben (Benjamin Henry Bates)
Born: 9/4/1933, Texas, U.S.A.
Died: 10/4/2017, Sun City, California, U.S.A.
Ben Bates westerns – stunt coordinator, stuntman:
Gunsmoke (TV) – [doubled James Arness 1972-1975]
Banjo Hackett: Roamin' Free (TV) – 1976 (logger)
How the West Was Won (TV) – 1979 [stunt coordinator]
The Legend of the Lone Ranger – 1981 (Ranger Post)
The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory (TV) – 1987 [doubled James Arness]
Red River – 1988 [doubled James Arness]