1931
Johnny
2012
Johnny M. Bates
December 9, 1931 — February 1, 2012
Dr. Johnny M. Bates Dr. Johnny M. Bates of Waynesboro, TN passed away on February 1, 2012 after a long and heroic battle against cancer. Born in the Sugar Tree community of Benton County, TN on December 9, 1931, Dr. Bates attended his early school years in the Holladay community. Later his family moved to Parsons, TN where he attended Parsons High School, graduating in 1952. Dr. Bates enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. He then served in the 117th infantry Regiment from Lexington, TN, and the 170th Armored Infantry Battalion, Ft. Jackson, SC. After an honorable discharge, he continued to serve in the Army National Guard of Tennessee in the 230th Armored Engineering Battalion at Martin, TN and received the National Service Medal.
Following military service, Dr. Bates attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he met and married Marie Murphy of Gallatin, TN. After completion of his work there, they moved to Memphis where he was accepted into the School of Dentistry at the University of Tennessee. Upon graduation, he was employed by the Memphis and Shelby county health departments. He moved to Waynesboro, TN to carry on the practice of the late Dr. Kenneth Billings. In the late 1970's, he built his own office complex just off the square in Waynesboro. He was joined later by Dr. William Springer. After 50 years of private practice, he retired and was recognized by the Tennessee Dental Association for this prestigious honor.
Even while practicing dentistry he found time to serve many community services and boards including Chairman of the Wayne County Cancer Society, Wayne County Skills, the Wayne County Hospital and Nursing Home board of directors, Wayne County Board of Health, and Board of Directors of the Bank of Waynesboro, where he served as Chairman of the Board for many years. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, the 6th District Dental Society, Tennessee Dental Association and the National Dental Association. Dr. Bates was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waynesboro. He and Rev. Bobby Pinckley helped re-organize the cub scout troop in Wayne County. He served with various action committees, including the SOS which was formed in order to keep a private landfill out of Wayne County.
Dr. Bates was the recipient of many awards including the Paul Harris Fellow award given by the Rotary Foundation. He was recognized as Legislative Advisor to the 63rd House of Representatives by the honorable L. H. "Cotton" Ivy.
Dr. Bates had a personal respect for all his patients. His hobbies included gardening and woodworking in his workshop. His love of agriculture is evidenced by the beautiful Japanese ornamental cherry blossom tree he brought to Waynesboro and planted in front of his office, for all to see and enjoy. He was co-owner of B & C Sales for the outdoor sales of Hardy heaters, and was co-owner of the Buffalo River Canoe outfitters for recreational boating.
Dr. Bates is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian Bates, a son, Larry Glenn Bates, and a grandchild, Lindsey Blythe Bates. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Marie, a brother, Leslie C. Bates and wife, Judy, a son, Joey Lynn Bates, a daughter, Lisa Ann Bates and son-in-law, Tommy Brittain. Grandchildren include, Emily Jo Bates, Joey Kyle Bates, and John Carter Bates. Great-grandchildren include Andrew, Austin, and Kirsten Keaton. Dr. Bates is survived by his loving cousins, Nell Goff, Ruth Goff, and Barbara Middleton. He leaves behind two faithful companions, his dog, Tootsie, and cat, Mia.
Most importantly, he was known as a friend to all his patients and co-workers. He was a man of dedication and honor.
Burial with military rites will be in Wesson Cemetery in his beloved Sugar Tree, TN, next to his parents. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in hs memory to the American Cancer Society or the Butterfly Foundation.
Services will be Monday, February 6, 2012 at 1 pm at Parsons Mortuary in Parsons, TN with Marvin Champion and L. H. "Cotton" Ivy officiating and will be handled by Shackelford Funeral Directors of Waynesboro, TN. Pallbearers will be Shelia Daniel, Sharon Staggs, Andrea Dalton, Lori Ray, Pam Jones, Shelley Adams, Dottie Hensley, and Brandi Keeton. Honorary pallbearers will be Joyce Hill, Jennifer Hill, Kristy Moore, Beth Brewer, and Sharon Davis.
Visitation will be Monday, from 11 am until 1 pm at Parsons Mortuary in Parsons, TN.
Following military service, Dr. Bates attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he met and married Marie Murphy of Gallatin, TN. After completion of his work there, they moved to Memphis where he was accepted into the School of Dentistry at the University of Tennessee. Upon graduation, he was employed by the Memphis and Shelby county health departments. He moved to Waynesboro, TN to carry on the practice of the late Dr. Kenneth Billings. In the late 1970's, he built his own office complex just off the square in Waynesboro. He was joined later by Dr. William Springer. After 50 years of private practice, he retired and was recognized by the Tennessee Dental Association for this prestigious honor.
Even while practicing dentistry he found time to serve many community services and boards including Chairman of the Wayne County Cancer Society, Wayne County Skills, the Wayne County Hospital and Nursing Home board of directors, Wayne County Board of Health, and Board of Directors of the Bank of Waynesboro, where he served as Chairman of the Board for many years. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, the 6th District Dental Society, Tennessee Dental Association and the National Dental Association. Dr. Bates was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waynesboro. He and Rev. Bobby Pinckley helped re-organize the cub scout troop in Wayne County. He served with various action committees, including the SOS which was formed in order to keep a private landfill out of Wayne County.
Dr. Bates was the recipient of many awards including the Paul Harris Fellow award given by the Rotary Foundation. He was recognized as Legislative Advisor to the 63rd House of Representatives by the honorable L. H. "Cotton" Ivy.
Dr. Bates had a personal respect for all his patients. His hobbies included gardening and woodworking in his workshop. His love of agriculture is evidenced by the beautiful Japanese ornamental cherry blossom tree he brought to Waynesboro and planted in front of his office, for all to see and enjoy. He was co-owner of B & C Sales for the outdoor sales of Hardy heaters, and was co-owner of the Buffalo River Canoe outfitters for recreational boating.
Dr. Bates is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian Bates, a son, Larry Glenn Bates, and a grandchild, Lindsey Blythe Bates. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Marie, a brother, Leslie C. Bates and wife, Judy, a son, Joey Lynn Bates, a daughter, Lisa Ann Bates and son-in-law, Tommy Brittain. Grandchildren include, Emily Jo Bates, Joey Kyle Bates, and John Carter Bates. Great-grandchildren include Andrew, Austin, and Kirsten Keaton. Dr. Bates is survived by his loving cousins, Nell Goff, Ruth Goff, and Barbara Middleton. He leaves behind two faithful companions, his dog, Tootsie, and cat, Mia.
Most importantly, he was known as a friend to all his patients and co-workers. He was a man of dedication and honor.
Burial with military rites will be in Wesson Cemetery in his beloved Sugar Tree, TN, next to his parents. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in hs memory to the American Cancer Society or the Butterfly Foundation.
Services will be Monday, February 6, 2012 at 1 pm at Parsons Mortuary in Parsons, TN with Marvin Champion and L. H. "Cotton" Ivy officiating and will be handled by Shackelford Funeral Directors of Waynesboro, TN. Pallbearers will be Shelia Daniel, Sharon Staggs, Andrea Dalton, Lori Ray, Pam Jones, Shelley Adams, Dottie Hensley, and Brandi Keeton. Honorary pallbearers will be Joyce Hill, Jennifer Hill, Kristy Moore, Beth Brewer, and Sharon Davis.
Visitation will be Monday, from 11 am until 1 pm at Parsons Mortuary in Parsons, TN.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Johnny M. Bates, please visit our flower store.
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