Charles Guy Bates

Charles Guy Bates, 61, died unexpectedly on August 13, 2008 at his home in Biloxi, MS. He was born on March 21, 1947 to William & Evelyn (Cope) Bates, who preceded him in death in 1999. He was a graduate from Muskegon Senior High School in 1965, attended Muskegon Community College, graduated from Jefferson Davis College, and was a veteran serving in the USAF in the Vietnam War. He worked in retail clothing sales all of his life, and was a retail associate at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, MS. "Charlie/Chuck" loved flashy clothes, bling, Hip-Hop music, Elvis Presley, bike riding, boxing, physical fitness, trains, going to plays and movies ("Casablanca" was his favorite!), hunting for antiques, vacationing in his hometown, and home cooked food, especially, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, pot roast, roasted turkey, hamburg gravy, and seafood, AND Better Made potato chips, Vernor's Ginger Ale, G hot dogs, US 31 Bar-B-Q's, Mr. Scribb's and Glenside Pub Pizzas, cashews, and licorice. He was also an ardent cat lover! He was a guy with a big heart helping friends and strangers at every turn and who loved "shuckin' and jiving"! He will be greatly missed! SURVIVORS Sister and brother-in-law, Barbara Bates- Lalick and Martin Lalick; cousins, Linda (Michael) Agerstrand, and son, Zack, Robbin Bates and son, Michael (Mickey) and son, Jason and daughter, Elizabeth (Brandon) Morrison, Terry (Lori) Bates; and in Colorado, aunts and uncles, Hilma (Walt) Madison, Mary Ellen (Sam) Robertson, Betty Smith; cousins, Beverly and Dan Long, Janice Williams, Tracie and Alan Axton, Donna and Jim Roberts, and his beloved and faithful companion, his cat, Simon. He was preceded in death by his parents, uncles, Jason Bates, Donald Bates, William Cope, Ed Rapp, Jim Williams, and V.F. Smith; aunts, Madeline Bates, Arlene Bates; grandparents, Guy and Julia Cope, Sophia & Charles Bates; niece & nephew, Edith Ann Cope Tear & Warren Guy Cope. SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE Thursday, September 4, 2008 11:00 AM with visitation 1 hour prior at Clock Chapel with Rev. Karen Biggerstaff officiating. As per Charlie's request, he has been cremated and Interment is at Oakwood Cemetery. For those planning to attend, please consider wearing vivid colored clothing in Charlie's honor. MEMORIAL: for a more lasting memorial, please consider giving to the Muskegon Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts or ASPCA or Muskegon High Marching Band or Noah Project.