Mr. Jack E Bates

Jackie was a member of East Lake Baptist Church which merged with East Ridge Baptist Church. He went to UTC where he played football, basketball, and baseball. Upon joining the Navy he also played on some naval football teams. After serving in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict he came back and was taught the trade of brick masonry by his father in law. He turned that into a career that spanned over 60 years. He was an advocate for all youth sports, he enjoyed volunteering for the East Lake community. He would go and make sure the church gym was open for the community. He coached many area youth sports leagues including, a girls softball team, and a boys basketball team. Jackie also played in a men’s fast pitch league. His real dedication came to his church where he served as a long time Sunday school teacher for both 9 year old boys and adults. He also enjoyed singing in the choir, however some stated he just slept. Not only giving of his time, but he was very generous with his philanthropic endeavors and made it point to give money to almost every veteran’s service organization there is. He was a member of both the American Legion Post 95 and the Masonic Lodge #755 F & AM both located in East Ridge.

Jackie was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Bates, parents, Buford and Estella Bates.

He is survived by his five children, Steve and Connee Bates, Linda and Mike Gilley, David and Debbie Bates, Peggy and Jesse Taylor and Willa and Greg Gates; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Betty, Irene, and Lib, nieces and nephews, Terri, Tina, Lee Ann and Emmett.

A Celebration of Jackie’s Life will be held in the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home on Tuesday December 17, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. until service time. He will be laid to rest with his wife, Barbara in the Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chattanooga Rescue Mission, 1512 S Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404 and/or Chattanooga FCA, PO Box 338, Hixson, TN 37343

Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com