Tommy Lee Bates

Mr. Tommy Lee Bates, age 83, husband of Marjorie Thompson Bates and a resident of Columbia, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2019 at Poplar Estates in Columbia.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 12:00 PM at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Lee Stevenson and Pastor Tommy Vann officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 9, 2019 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19 at 6:00 PM. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at First United Methodist Church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on July 25, 1936 in Hohenwald, Tennessee, Tommy was the son of the late Everette Lee Bates and the late Tommie Ruth Black Bates. He married Marjorie Thompson on June 21, 1958 and adopted one daughter that he cherished as his own, Kimberly (Jimmy Pruitt) Bates.

He was a 1954 graduate of Lewis County High School, graduated from Air Force University of Medicine in 1954, earned a certificate from the Medical Laboratory School in 1957, earned his Bachelor’s Degree as an honor student in 1961 from Middle Tennessee State University where he also earned his Master’s Degree (Magna Cum Laude) in 1973.

Tommy was the General Science and Biology teacher, Junior Class Sponsor, Assistant football coach, and Junior Varsity boys’ basketball coach at Lewis County High School from 1961-1962. He was the General Science, Biology, and Chemistry teacher and boys’ basketball coach at Hampshire High School from 1962-1963. He was the General Science and Biology teacher, assistant football coach, athletic trainer, and boys’ Junior Varsity basketball coach at Hickman County High School from 1963-1965 and supervised Teen Town at Centerville United Methodist Church from 1963-1965. Tommy was the English, Math, and General Science teacher, assistant football coach, athletic trainer, intramural director, Summer day camp and wilderness camp director, dormitory supervisor, and Columbia Military Academy from 1965-1969. He was the Physical Science, Biology, Physiology teacher and athletic trainer at Columbia Central High School from 1969-1996 and Maury County Athletic Trainer serving seven schools from 1984-1996. Tommy was a professional photographer from 1979-1994 and did special photography work for Tennessee Secondary Schools Association for twelve years and National Athletic Trainers Association for four years. He was the Drug Education Coordinator and Athletic Trainer for Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association’s All-Star football and basketball teams for twelve years. He was the Blood Borne Pathogen instructor for Columbia Central High School and Coordinator for Maury County Schools in-service. Tommy retired from Maury County Board of Education in May of 1996.

He obtained licenses and/or certificates from the Department of Justice D.E.A. and F.B.I. training for Drug Education, E.M.T. Columbia State Community College, Tennessee Department of Education (for certification Biology, General Science, Health and Physical Education Principal grade 7-12), State of Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, and Athletic Trainer’s license.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Columbia, volunteer at The People’s Table, serving as medical advisor for possible medical or surgical advice. Tommy helped organize and build McClish Chapel in Lewis County, was a member of the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19, and former member of Southeast Athletic Trainers and National Athletic Trainers Association for twenty-three years. He was a member of the Columbia Radio Control Flying Club, Maury County Gun Club (life member), National Rifle Association (life member), and Maury County, Tennessee, and National Retired Teachers Association.

Tommy’s hobbies included: hunting, fishing, photography, and building and flying radio-controlled airplanes. He enjoyed time with his family and friends and telling stories of events about hunting and fishing to his students at Columbia Central High School. He found Christ at the early age of fourteen. He was very involved with school, school activities, church, church activities, and family and friends until his health failed him. Even though he was unable to run around anymore, he still enjoyed telling his stories to anyone who was willing to listen.

In addition to his wife Marjorie of sixty-one years and daughter, Kimberly (Jimmy Pruitt) Bates, he is survived by his grandchildren: Dalton Ray Greggs, Savanna Jane (Brandon Deaton) Greggs; great grandchild: Stryker Daniel Deaton; nephew: Mike Thompson; and cousin: Linda Bates Robinson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sammye Jo Bates Lawson.

Honorary pallbearers will include: the Maury County Retired Teachers, Maury County Gun Club, Monsanto RC Flying Club, First United Methodist Church Wednesday Morning Bible Class, the staff of Hospice Compassus, members of the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19, Jerry Rhea, Thomas Johns, Yogi and Betty Spears, Cork and Judi Heyning, Dr. Ken Moore, Dr. Shawn Gentry, Dr. Eslick Daniel, Andy Poag, The Employees at the Gardens at Poplar Estates, Dr. Jeff Adams, Moore Landers, Dr. Doug Wilburn, Graham Kilsby, Debra and Tony Bradford, Billy Winn, and Delana and Clay Pruitt.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association: 478 Craighead Street, #200, Nashville, TN 37204 or the Boy Scout Troop 114 of First United Methodist Church: 222 West 7 ^th Street, Columbia, TN 38401.