Norman James Bates, 61 passed way on February 5th, 2013 at St. Mary’s of Michigan Standish Long term Care following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Bay City on January 28, 1952 to Norman & Theresa (Carbary) Bates. Jim married Barbara (Bonnie) Houle on June 4, 1988 at St. Anne Church, she survives him. He was a graduate of T.L. Handy High School Class of 1970 and University of Michigan in 1974. He was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church ,where he served on many committees and was very active in the renovation of the church in 2008. He was an employee of Shively Bros. working in Dephi and TRW plants in Saginaw and taught at Delta College in the computer programming department. Jim was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works.

Surviving besides his wife of 24 years is a son Matthew Bates and a daughter Bethany Bates; a granddaughter Ellie Rivard; his mother Theresa Bates; a half sister Dawn & Wayne Burson, half brother Jack & Betty Bates; a sister in law Diane Bates; 2 special cousins Maggie Sayles and Jim Carbary. He was preceded in death by his father Norman R. Bates and a half brother Jerry Bates.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday February 9, 2013 at 10 am from St. Anne Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Nicholas F. Coffaro and Deacon Michael Arnold presiding with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Rivertown Funeral Chapel on Friday from 2 to 8 pm. A Vigil Service will be held Friday evening at 7 pm at the funeral Chapel. On Saturday Jim will lie in state at the church from 9 am until time of Mass.Those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked to consider St. Anne School or a charity of your choice.