James R. Moates, 83 of Lake City, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the Solaris Healthcare of Lake City with his family by his side.  He was a longtime resident of Lake City and was born in Baker County, the oldest of 5 children, to the late Rudolph Emmett and Retha Mae Alford Moates.  Mr. Moates served in the United States Navy and he was a member of the Deep Creek Advent Christian Church.  He worked for 20 years as a route salesman with Golden Flake Potato Chips and retired in 2002.  Mr. Moates could not stay retired and worked for 11 years at the Columbia County Courthouse and retired in 2014.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, raising chickens, gardening, picking up pecans and spending time with his family.  Mr. Moates was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Harold Moates and Ronnie Moates; 1 grandson, John Christopher Herndon; and 1 great-grandson, Franklin James Moates.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Leona King Moates, Lake City; three children, Donald Moates (Tracye), Penny Herndon (John) and Willie Moates (Chrissy) all of Lake City; two sisters, Annie Jo Brown and Gladys Hand both of Sanderson; 8 grandchildren, James Donald Moates (Liz), Callie Moates, Kyle Herndon (Lyndsey), Tyler Herndon (Ashley), Christy Herndon, Willie Moates, Jr (Julie), Ashley Douylliez (Dustin) and Dustin Hall (Hayley); 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Moates will be conducted on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM in the Gateway-Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel with Rev. Ron Moates officiating.  Interment will follow at Scott Cemetery in the Deep Creek Community.  Visitation with the family will be Friday evening from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.  The Moates family would like to express their gratitude for the love and care shown to their family by the staff at Solaris Healthcare of Lake City.