John Bates, 76, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away on October 8, 2025. Born on April 5, 1949, to John and Maxine Bates, John was raised in a home marked by service and hard work—his father served as a high school principal and his mother as a homemaker and part-time bank teller.

John graduated from Alma Center Lincoln High School in 1967. After serving his country in Vietnam with the U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division, he earned an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting in 1973 from District One Technical Institute (now Chippewa Valley Technical College).

John was a valued employee at PDM Bridge for several years, where he met Kathy, who became his beloved wife of 33 years. Together they served faithfully at their local church, cherished time with family, and shared the love of Christ with everyone they met. John loved studying the Scriptures and engaging in spirited, thoughtful conversations about what he was learning.

His family will remember his quick wit and ready laugh, his generous heart always willing to help, and his love for the Packers, Badgers, and almost any other sport on TV—sometimes on multiple TVs at the same time (with the exception of golf and a few others). A dedicated cyclist, John often rode 50+ miles and was always ready for the next adventure.

John is survived by his three stepsons, Daniel (Ilona) Anderson, Joseph (Heidi) Anderson, and Jesse (Becca Yakesh) Anderson; and grandchildren Seth (Mackenzie Beaven) Anderson, Joel Anderson, Isabella Anderson, Gaige Yakesh, and Hudson Anderson. He is also survived by his siblings: Robert Bates (Onalaska, WI), David (Jackie) Bates (Holmen, WI), Lynette (Mark) Jirschele (Marshfield, WI), and Nancy (Mark) Schoenfeldt (Wausau, WI).

He was preceded in death by his parents: his mother, Maxine, on June 7, 2005, his Father John on January 9, 2025, and his wife Kathy on July 24, 2025.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Valleybrook Church, 412 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire, WI, with Pastor Nate Abuan officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Inurnment will occur at Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire with Military honors performed by American Legion Post 53 and VFW Post 7232.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in John's honor to Valleybrook Church.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." You will be greatly missed!