A long-serving Whitesburg city councilman died earlier this week.

Jimmy Bates, nicknamed “The General”, died Thursday morning at Whitesburg ARH Hospital. Bates had served on the Whitesburg City Council for more than two decades, and was also a Vietnam War veteran.

Whitesburg Mayor James Craft said Bates was one of his closest friends, and a valued member of the council. He said he regularly welcomed Bates’ advice in his capacity as mayor and in his personal life.

According to his obituary, Jimmy “The General” Bates served on the Whitesburg City Council for more than 25 years, and was involved in several veterans and civic organizations, including the Whitesburg Masonic Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Mountain Shrine Club and LKLP in Letcher County.

Bates is survived by three sisters and two brothers. He was 74.

In the linked clip, Craft talks about his relationship with Bates, and Bates’ service to Whitesburg.

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