Jack Neal Bates, 64, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on October 12, 2019. Jack was born on January 21, 1955 in Everett, WA to Neal and Janet (Skegrud) Bates as their first-born child.
A native Washingtonian, Jack graduated from Cascade High School and then spent most of his life in the Skagit Valley. Jack worked in the grocery industry where he retired in 2011. After retiring from the grocery industry, he spent time working for Skagit Transit where he was able to continue sharing his caring personality and quick witted jokes with those he worked with.
Jack was united in marriage to Dee Grant (his Chickadee), on October 26, 1991 and together they made their home in Sedro-Woolley.
An avid outdoorsman and family man, Jack had many good times with family and friends target shooting, hunting and fishing, all while sharing a good 
joke and a beer. Jack enjoyed antique shopping with his wife on vacations and road trips. There was never downtime with Jack. He kept himself busy tying flies for his next fishing adventure, reloading ammo for the perfect shot and tinkering in his shop where the classic rock music never stopped playing and the creativity never ended. Jack also enjoyed working in his garden and sharing his harvest with family and friends.
Jack is survived by his wife, Dee at the family home; sons, Jaxon and Jordan Bates; daughter, Crystal Stephens; step-sons, Jason and Christopher Walton; his parents, Neal and Janet Bates; sisters, Jeanine Gilbert and Jodi Bates; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ellen and Gerald Grant, and Darlene and Preston Malzahn; eleven grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins, and his beloved cat, “Kitty”.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harvey & Elfie Skegrud and George & Ivy Bates.
A celebration of life will be held at their family home on November 9, 2019 at 11:00am. Share your memories of Jack and sign the online gust register.
My name is Derek Gardner and I’m good friends with Jaxon , I had the privilege to be Jack’s fishing guide in Alaska when they came up and spent some unforgettable adventures on the Kenai River with me , I feel very honored that I got to fulfill some life long memories upon there visit here and it’s something I will forever cherish. My prayers and thoughts are with all of Jacks family and friends and his presence spent with me will never be forgotten. 🙏🏻
I will always miss your smile, laughter and hugs. I am your Chickadee but you will always be my better half and the love of my life.
What a great man and my best friend since we were five years old there wasn’t much we didn’t experience together over the years you will be missed
I’m Jack’s aunt. We grew up together, and I always loved Jack’s easy-going demeanor, yet independent spirit, much like my dad, Harvey. He was always busy and a hard-worker. Jack was very happy when he met Dee. We all had fun at fancy dinners at my parents’ home. The time when we all put on Elfie’s antique hats and furs and took pictures. Jeannine was there. Jack often emailed pictures of his hunting and fishing, but his favorites were of Isabella and her trophies. Jack was a genuine straight-shooter. He was a sensitive man who loved life and those around him. Thank you, Dee, for your devotion, making his life very happy for 28 years. I can hear his laugh when I see this picture. We love you and miss you, Jack.
Jack was a super-duper guy. I will miss hanging out with him at the family reunions.
Uncle Jack was larger than life to me growing up and I always looked forward to looking up at him at holiday gatherings. He was the fun loving uncle who was always ready with a joke or a prank and was always engaged and genuinely interested in how we were doing. Great man. I’ll miss you Uncle Jack.
I want to say I met Jack through very
good friend Jeannine…What a very
wonderful man💔 I know his parents
a wonderful mother and father to this
very special man…
Jack I know your looking down at your family You will be missed..I know we will see you in heaven again❤Love Cindy Anderson🎉🇺🇸❤
jack was a beauty,fun smile and laughter, I called on jack as a produce rep 20 yrs best guy and mgr fun good humor and then riding bus concrete for lunch , I observed his great driving and care of riders and handicapped he was great with them, great man will be missed .thanks jack
I always looked forward to seeing cousin Jack at family gatherings, it seems like he always had interesting thoughts about life and stories to share. A truly kind and warmhearted soul.
Always a smile on his face with an easy laugh at my not so funny jokes. One of the good people in this world who enjoyed life and lived it fully. We all miss you Jack.
Not fair that a person like you left us early.
I worked with Jack for over 20 years. He never missed a day. We took turns driving to work for years he’s a very good man. I miss him. Wish his family well
I had a lot of fun with Jack in the 80s pool playing drinking beer and hunting rats under his garage on cook Rd. A great man and will truly be missed.
Jack…you were both a fun and amazing brother and will be dearly missed. There will always be a hold in my heart missing you. I told you how hard it was going to be for me to move on in life without you…Love your sister..Jeannine.
Jack was always quick to laugh and smile. I am so sorry I could not do more.