Michael J. Bates was born on May 4, 1950, to Nilo and Anna (Johnson) Bates in Sheridan, Wyoming.

He died on September 7, 2022 in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

He is survived by his wife Pat, whom he married on 20 August 1976 in Sheridan, Wyoming, his daughters Jennifer Finn (Ashley Gill) of Colorado Springs, Stephanie Bates (Demetrius Dixon) of Lochbuy, Melanie Torres (Miguel) of Colorado Springs. , and Hilary Kayte (Jeremy) of Wiggins. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren Blake Finn (Ashley Wyckoff), Kaleigh Bates (Melvin Weisman), Nicholas Finn, Kirsten Kyte, Tristan Kyte, Vanessa Torres, Jocelyn Kyte, Gabriel Torres, Emerson Kyte, and Cassidy Dixon, and a great-grandson Mason. . Weisman. Michael is survived by his sisters Patricia Muller and Angela O’Brien, his nieces and nephews Jay Ekis, Charlie Eckis, Erin Stegelman, Tracy Mendoza, Anna O’Brien, Frankie O’Brien and Bubba O’Brien, as well as several cousins, great-nieces. Huh. and great nephew. Mike is also survived by his mother-in-law Joan McIntyre and his honorary daughter Shana Anderson and granddaughter Andrea Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sherry Robertson and his brothers Skeeter and Bobby Bates and his father-in-law Lawrence McIntyre.

Mike graduated from Sheridan High School in 1968 and received the first FFA Commemorative Scholarship awarded by the school. He was also the president of its FFA chapter. He then graduated from the National College of Business in Rapid City, South Dakota in 1972. Mike then began accounting in Greeley, Colorado. He met his future wife there in 1976 and they were married later that year. In 1977, he began working for Valley Feed & Seed in Wiggins, Colorado. The family moved to Wiggins later that year. While working for Valley Feed and Seed, he was also part of the Morgan County Ambulance. Mike and Pat built their home in Wiggins in 1979.

Mike served as a trustee on Wiggins Town Council for several years and then later as mayor.

Following the closure of Valley Feed & Seed, Mike founded his own private accounting practice, Michael Bates Accounting, which later became Michael Bates & Associates.

Mike was an avid book reader and puzzler, enjoying playing softball and bowling as well. He enjoyed coaching his softball teams once his girls were older. She continued to coach and sponsor adult girls’ teams. Mike enjoyed going to all the events and activities involving his children and grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Wiggins High School Event Center, 201 Tiger Way, Wiggins, CO, followed by a reception at the Bates Family Home, 604 Third Avenue, Wiggins. , Colorado. Please wear casual (jeans) and if possible, wear orange as it was his favorite colour. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Michael Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund at High Plains Bank in Wiggins, CO.

Colorado News, Ft. Morgan, CO - Sept. 15, 2022.