BATES, Howard Thomas (Tom)

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, February 26, 2014 Howard Thomas “Tom” Bates died Feb. 20 at his home in Wickenburg at the age of 92. No services are planned. A family graveside ceremony will take place at a later date. Tom Bates was born on Nov. 18, 1921 in Davenport, Iowa, the third of four children to Ruth McCluer and Howard Thomas Bates III. He graduated from Davenport High School and attended Dartmouth College. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Force, attaining the rank of captain. After the war, Tom worked at Red Jacket Manufacturing Company in various capacities in advertising, sales and financial administration. He resigned in 1967 to become a grain and livestock farmer in Bennett, Iowa, retiring from farming in 1981. Tom married Vera Virginia “Vivi” French in 1953. She preceded him in death in 2002. They had three children - twin sons Christopher and John and daughter Alison. His wife’s nephew, Michael Hoyt, became a part of the immediate family after the deaths of his mother and grandmother. Tom married Barbara “Bobbie” Lounsbery in 2006. Tom’s memberships and interest included Crow Valley Golf Club, Rancho de los Caballeros Golf Club in Wickenburg, the Nature Conservancy, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, and playing bridge. Tom is survived by his wife Bobbie; son Chris and daughter-in-law Mary of Bristow, Va.; son John and daughter-in-law Jane of Rowlett, Texas; and daughter Alison of Davenport, Iowa; grandchildren James, Steven, Sarah, Andrew, Kelsey, Samantha, Katharine and Erin; stepchildren Phillips and Barbara Lounsbery, Barbara and Charles Johnson, and Sarah and Keith Thomson; sister Ann Rehling of Surprise; and several nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his first wife Vivi; his parents; brother James; sister Margaret; and nephew Michael.