Thomas Earl Bates, age 83, passed away at home on Aug. 13, 2006. He was born June 29, 1923, in Elk Horn, Utah, to Arthur Bates and Sarah Ann Smith. Thomas fell in love with Elda Prescott and they were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on Sept. 24, 1943.
Tom grew up in Wasatch County attending Wasatch schools. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Thomas spent his career as a miner in the Park City mines and farming in Kamas Valley. He also served numerous years with Community Action and the local senior citizens organization. Thomas has always been an active member of the LDS Church.
He is survived by sons: Earl (Ann) Bates of Wellsville, Utah; and Lonnie D. (Debbie) Bates of Francis and Lakeland, Fla.; brother Clarence Bates; sisters Hilda Mair and Sylvia B. Hudson; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by wife Elda, parents, son Ken, four brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006 at 11 a.m. at the Francis LDS Ward Chapel, 385 East 2200 South (S.R. 35), Francis. Friends may call Wednesday, Aug. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services, both at the LDS Church. Interment will be in the Francis Cemetery.