July 20, 1940 – April 14, 2017

Gary was born in Saint Louis, Missouri on July 20, 1940 to Jean and William J. Bates. He attended Catholic kindergarten and public schools until his senior year, and graduated from Kemper Military Academy in 1957. As a child, Gary loved physical activities outdoors, and dancing around the house. By eighth grade, he discovered social dance and danced regularly at local halls. His passion for dance led him to pursue formal training.

After his father’s death in 1957, the family moved to Phoenix. Gary studied at Arizona State University for a year, moved to Los Angeles, and studied dance at LA City College and with Carmelita Maracci. In 1960, he joined the Eugene Loring Dance Players. A scholarship student at the American School of Dance in Hollywood, he studied with top professionals: from Ballet Russe, Roland Petit’s Ballet Company, Broadway and television. His modern dance training was with Lester Horton Dance Company members, including Bella Lewitzky.

Gary received his B.A. in dance from UCLA in 1968 and M.A. in 1976. While working on his M.A. he taught technique classes for dance majors.

He performed and taught throughout the United States with the Bella Lewitzky Dance Company from 1968-73. Following his 1974 debut of a full-length solo to Peter Maxwell Davies’ Vesalii Icones on the Monday Evening Music Concert Series at the Bing Theatre, Gary and several friends co-founded the influential Eyes Wide Open Dance Theatre.

Guest performances included UC Riverside Dance Company, UCLA Dance Company, Dance/LA and Lynn Dally and Dancers, Cal Arts, UC Irvine and private studios. Although retired from dancing in 1990, he performed again with Marion Scott’s “Spirit Dances” in 2003 and 2004.

Gary served on the faculties of Florida State University, UCLA, Scripps College, Santa Monica College and Loyola Marymount University from 1968 to 1990. He received Lester Horton Awards in 1993 and 2000.

Following a spiritual awakening, Gary was active for the past 20 years in Alcoholics Anonymous and mentored many individuals.

Center for Spiritual Living-La Crescenta, his church family, will miss him and his devoted service. He served as a religious science practitioner, bookstore manager and contributed to CV Weekly’s Spiritually Speaking column.
Gary passed away on the evening of April 14 surrounded by loving family and friends. He is survived by his mother Jean; brother Bill; and several generations of nieces and nephews.
Two services are scheduled at the Center for Spiritual Living-La Crescenta to honor his very fruitful life: Alcoholics Anonymous on Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. and his church family’s celebration will be on Saturday, May 20 11 a.m.
The Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta is located at 4845 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.
 In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Aids Health Care Foundation, 6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor, Los Angeles CA 90028 – Attention: Marie Garcia.