James Edward Bates

1963 - 2016

Bates, James Edward of Manchester, MI, age 52, died suddenly from a stroke on Sunday, May 1, 2016 in Columbus, GA. He was born October 9, 1963 in Los Angeles, California, the son of Grover Bates and Alice (Hill) Seaton. Mr. James Bates served in the Army for 21 years. During his career he served overseas in Germany and Korea. His assignments include duty with the 2d Armored Division (Forward), the Nation Training Center, the Berlin Command, the 82d Airborne Division, the 2d Infantry Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps Special Troops Battalion. Jim retired as a Master Sergeant and continued serving as a civilian until the time of his death. Employed with the Army, Mr. Bates served as the Weapon System Manager (WSM) for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in the Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) in support of multiple Allied countries through the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program such as Egypt, UAE, Iraq, Pakistan etc. Mr. Bates was the Subject Matter Expert (SME) responsible for the refurbishment, rest and sustainment of multiple variants of MRAP vehicles supported by multiple U.S primary Defense Contractors throughout the world. Mr. Bates also served as an Integrated Logistics Support Manager (ILSM) in the Army Program Office (APO), Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) for planning, executing and sustainment for Navistar MRAP variants. He was Responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating and supporting logistics plans to assimilate sustainment functions to include: coordinating with subject matter experts in order to optimize sustainment efforts, developing IPTs, Material Fielding Plans (MFPs), Statements of Work (SOW), Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), COTS Technical Manuals/updates, MIL standard manuals, and conduct and monitor Validation and Verification. Jim was always active, particularly in outdoor activities, home improvement projects and traveling with Suzanne. On November 26, 2008, he married Suzanne (Silkworth) Lee in Pleasant Lake, MI, and she survives. Jim's other survivors include his children, Nicole (Greg) Fallen of Ft. Benning, GA, Steven Bates of Dearborn, Dustin Lee of Canton, Danielle Lee of Grand Rapids, Bailey Lee of Kalamazoo; four siblings, Peggy Lloyd, Wilma Bates, Marjorie Laubhan and John Seaton; one grandchild, Kelsie Fallen; his mother-in-law, Kay Silkworth of Chelsea; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Grover, mother Alice and father-in-law, Charlie Silkworth. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7, 10:30 am, at Nie Funeral Home, Liberty Road Chapel. Military Burial will follow at Oak Grove, Manchester. The family would like to invite their guests for light refreshments afterwards. The family will receive friends at Nie Funeral Home, Liberty Road Chapel on Friday from 4-7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.