BATES, Marvin Joseph

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from July 31 to August 7, 2013 - ~Marvin Joseph Bates, age 62, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 in Mohave Valley, Ariz. after losing his battle to Thyroid cancer. ~Marvin was born in Bakersfield, Calif. on October 30, 1950. He bounced back and forth between Bakersfield and Needles, Calif. until he graduated from Foothill High School in 1969. He then moved to Mohave Valley and went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad. After 41 years of service as a brakeman, conductor and a locomotive engineer he retired in 2010. ~Marvin had a passion for railroading, baseball, traveling and his grandchildren. ~Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Lottie Bates. ~He is survived by his wife, Gail Bates; son, Matthew Bates; daughter, Sara Floyd (Bates) along with their spouses Dina Bates and Jordan Floyd; beloved grandchildren, Lexis, Mackenzy, Matthew II, Maximus and Jillian; six brothers; a sister; and a ton of other friends and family. ~A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at The Elks Lodge, 1000 Lily Hill Drive, Needles, California. He was a wonderful man who will forever be in our hearts.