John Bates

Mr. John Morris Bates, Sr., 84, passed away Thursday, October 10, after a long illness at Regency Park Health and Rehabilitation.

He was the son of the late Archie and Ruby Bates of Dalton. John was a lifelong resident of Dalton. He was a longtime member of ChristChurch Presbyterian, formerly First Presbyterian Church of Dalton, where he served as church treasurer for over 25 years, an Elder and volunteer. He loved playing softball for the Presbyterian Church.

He started his career at the First National Bank in Dalton. He worked for Modern Fibers in Calhoun, GA, for 40 years in various management capacities. He also served as an advisor for HammerSmith, Inc. in Atlanta, GA, for 6 years.

He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1962 with a degree in accounting and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he served as treasurer.

He graduated from Dalton High School in 1958. He was Mr. DHS at Dalton High School. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track and field.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Archie and Ruby Bates of Dalton and his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Bargainer Bates of Dalton. He is survived by daughter, Elizabeth Michel Bates of Dalton, GA; son and spouse John Morris Bates, Jr. and Laura Bates of Chevy Chase, MD; and daughter and spouse, Allison Bates McConaughey and Warner McConaughey of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Zadie, Wilson and Lucy McConaughey of Atlanta and Keelin and John Bates of Chevy Chase, MD.

Memorial Services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of the ChristChurch Presbyterian with the Rev. Eric Geil officiating. The family will receive friends at ChristChurch Presbyterian Wednesday from 10 a.m. to the memorial hour at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ChristChurch Presbyterian, 510 S. Tibbs Road, Dalton, GA 30720.