John Iii

John Edward Bates, III, age 74, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 18, 2012 at his home in Locust, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Bates was born November 9, 1937 in Washington, DC to the late Rev. John Edward Bates, Jr. and the late Edith Ketner Henry Bates. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy serving aboard the USS Luce and the USS Galveston, a former Lions Club member, and a member of Locust Presbyterian Church serving as an elder several times. Ed was employed as a field engineer with Western Union in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA. After relocating to Locust, NC, he worked as a field engineer for what would eventually become MCI/Worldcom. In retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time at Lake Tillery and Garden City Beach with his family and listening to the constant chatter of his twelve grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1 – 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Locust Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 in the church sanctuary officiated by Pastor Doug VanNeil and Pastor Ed Wilson. A Committal of Ashes will follow in the Locust Presbyterian Cemetery. At other times, the family will meet at his home at 1643 Meadow Creek Church Road, Locust. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Ann Kirkpatrick Bates, of the home; his son, John Edward (Amy) Bates, IV of Locust; his daughters, Suzanne Bates (David) McAlexander of Huntersville, Laura Bates (Jim) McGuire of Charlotte, Kelly Bates Helms of Belmont, and Edna Huneycutt (Tony) Edge of Locust; his brother, Henry Bates of Asheville; his sister, Nancy Bates (Gordon)Ramsey of Weaverville; and his grandchildren, Lauren and Leanne McAlexander, Noah and Finnegan McGuire, Trevor, Kayla, Haley, and Nicole Bates, Meghan and Morgan Helms, and Dillon and Brandon Edge. Mr. Bates passed away as a result of prostate bone cancer. The family would like to thank his oncologist, Dr. Williams, his amazing nurse, Amanda, and the staff at NorthEast Medical Center for their care over the past two years, as well as Bayada Home Health and Hospice of Stanly County. Memorials may be made to Locust Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 277, Locust, NC 28097 or to Hospice of Stanly County, 960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Bates family.