Thomas C. Bates

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Thomas Clinton Bates, age 85, passed away on Thursday evening December 21, 2023 in Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown.

Thomas was born on August 26, 1938 in Omaha, Nebraska a son to the late Clinton and Beulah Baker Bates. He was raised and educated in Tulsa, Oklahoma and a graduate of Daniel Webster High School. After high school, Thomas served our Nation in the United States Navy from 1955 until 1976. He first Flew as a Air Crewman, as a Radar and Electronic Counter Measures Specialist then an  Air Traffic Controller for the Department of Defense. On July 14, 1989 he married the former Barbara J. Archer in Richfield Springs a loving union of thirty four years.

He was a member of the Richfield Springs Vets Club, VW-1 Association (Navy Squadron) and the Oneonta R/C Flyers.  he loved to travel and most of all spend time with his family. He was a friend to many and will never be forgotten.

Surviving are, his wife Barbara, a son Thomas Bates, Jr. and his wife Barbara Anne of Calhoun, Georgia, a daughter Sherry Moore and her fiancé Chris Clark of Scottsdale, Arizona, a stepson Russell A. Bloomfield of Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, a stepdaughter Susan A. Wynne and her husband Douglas "Mac" McLelland of Spring Hill, Florida, five grandchildren; Clinton Bates and his wife Ella of McDonough, Georgia, Drew Bates and his wife April of Canton, Georgia, Jacob Moore and Matthew Moore both of Scottsdale, Arizona, Baylie Bates and her fiancé Christian Pace of Fayetteville, Georgia, for great-grandchildren; Haley Bates, Rylynn Bates, Bryson Bates, and Logyn Bates, he also survived by a niece and nephew.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Kathleen Wesson.

Calling hours for Mr. Bates will be on Saturday January 6, 2024 from 11:00am until 12:00pm, in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs, a funeral service with Military Honors to follow at 12:00pm with the Reverend Jill Stellman officiating.