John Bates

John E. Bates (56) was born March 26th, 1956 and died on March 8th, 2013. He had lived in the Yakima Valley since 1969. He graduated from YVCC as an LPN in 1975 and started his nursing career at the Hillcrest Manor nursing facility in Sunnyside. Later working for DSHS/DDD office as an advocate for special needs kids. He met Susan Colyn after graduation and they began a lasting friendship. In May of 1994 they were married in Lincoln City, OR near the beach. John enjoyed traveling up and down the OR and WA Coast. Every new town meant a fresh shrimp cocktail. He loved going to the ocean and watching a good storm roll in. John was a kind and caring person and didn’t hesitate to help family or friends while expecting nothing in return. Working with special needs youth gave John purpose. In 1991 John started caring for a child named Bentley. They became best of friends and were together any chance they could get for the next 22 years, even going along to Disneyland together. John loved Bentley like his own son. He is preceded in death by his grandparents and his older brother Daniel Bates. He is survived by his parents Karl & Jean Bates of Yakima; his youngest brother Joseph Bates of Yakima; and his sister in law Barbara Bates of Yakima. Memorial Services will be held at the Valley Hills Funeral Home - Yakima on Saturday March 23rd at 10 a.m. Bring your memories and stories to share. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Bates, please visit our flower store.