John Bates

Jon T. Bates 59, of Shady Cove, Oregon, passed gently on to his next adventure in his sleep February 1st in his own bed, just a few weeks shy of his 60th birthday.

Born February 23, 1959 in Pasadena CA, to Patricia Gyselaar and Jack Bates, he spent most of his childhood in southern California. John found his way to Oregon in his late teens, early twenties living in several areas including Tiller, Bandon, Corvallis, and settling with his young family in Ashland in 1984.

Jon was a fun loving man with many talents such as music and cooking. He worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as a sound technician for 30 years. He devoted his time, creative effort, and professionalism to the theater for many decades and he was loved by his theater family. Jon attended Linn Benton Community College, Rogue Community College, Southern Oregon University, and Western Culinary Institute. Over the years, in between theater seasons, he worked in several restaurants in Ashland, but mostly his love of cooking really just kept his family well fed. He was known as a member of the local band Hamfist, but his greatest accomplishment was in writing and composing his own music. For several years he had a recording studio and he often played benefit and solo concerts, but mostly it was at social gatherings with friends and family that Jon's music was beloved and appreciated. He was a talented man, who inspired all those who knew him with his passion for all things music. He had a record-CD collection that rivaled the local radio stations. He shared his music freely and had a keen memory for the details of each album, such as: where it was recorded, the studio musicians, the background on the artists, and the contribution to the evolution of rock-folk-pop-psychedelic-funk music. He was a walking music encyclopedia.

Jon was very proud of his three children, Grace Anne currently of Lake Tahoe, Aidan Orion currently of Hanoi Vietnam, and Dylan Star and her husband Matt of Talent Oregon. His younger brother Jim Bates of Medford, and his former-wife and close friend of 34 years, Serena Ota St. Clair of Ashland also survive him.

The family has decided to wait until his son Aidan can join them in June for the official celebration of life for Jon. They have planned this event for June 15th from 2-6pm at TouVelle State Park, more information will be sent to friends and family.