Jack E. Bates

Jack Ellsworth Bates, 90, returned peacefully to his heavenly home on March 19, 2017. His devotion to his family, and his firm grounding in God supported his journey from this world to the next, holding him tight in his struggles and giving him peace. Jack, a lifelong Lansing resident, was born July 14, 1926. He graduated from Eastern High School (1944) and joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving briefly in WW II before being discharged in 1946. He then attended Michigan State University where he was active in student activities. He was a member of the ROTC program, and also served as a cheerleader. He graduated in 1951, and was called into service again with the US. Army as a 1st Lieutenant, and served in the Korean Conflict in the Quartermaster Corp. He received the Bronze Star and 3rd Division Letter of Commendation. He was inducted in the MSU ROTC Military Hall of Fame in 2000, the Spartan Battalion.

Mr. Bates was an enthusiastic community supporter, avid businessman and devoted man of faith. He was a lifetime member of the MSU Varsity Club and Alumni association. He served as an elder and deacon and faithfully attended The Peoples Church since 1964. He was a dedicated member of Rotary International (‘74), serving as the club president, secretary, and foundation president; honored with the establishment of the Jack Bates Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation Endowment Fund. He served as the president of YMCA '73, RYLA Mentor and Speaker, and most recently on the Community Care Board of Sparrow Health System and the Advisory Board of Blue Cross Network (Michigan). Mr. Bates was an insurance salesman for most of his professional career. He owned his own agency Jack E. Bates and Associates, later known as Future Financial Planners, Inc. in the Lansing area, achieving the Central Life Underwriter certification.

He was blessed with a large and loving family; Jack was inspired by the enthusiasm and love of those who surrounded him. His first and true love was Margaret Jane Luce of Lansing, and they were married in 1949. Nothing gave Jack and Margaret more joy than to open their house and share hospitality; Murphy Circle was a home to all. He loved spending quiet time in conversation with his friends and family. He was a generous man.

Jack was dedicated to the future, because he knew the only constant thing in life is change. Whether holding his great-grandchildren or teaching ethics, he was always present, cultivating a hope for future generations. His happiness was seeing the success of his children and grandchildren, whether by blood or by generational gap, he lifted the youth ahead of his own self-interest. His lasting impact will be felt for years to come. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Margaret Jane (Luce) Bates; his three children, Martha (Jerome) Ford, Nancy Bates, and Robert Bates; eleven grandchildren, Bryan Jackson (Mandy) Kendrick, Margaret (Matthew) Wurtzebach, Louis Ford, Kathlyn Kendrick, Christel Kendrick, Josh (Lindsey) Karkos, Matthew Karkos, and Seth Jackson Bates; six great-grandchildren, Lilyanne, Nevaeh, Draven, Guinevere, Jackson, Julien; his nephew Larry (Marie) Dumaney, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2017, at The Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI with Rev. Andrew Pomerville officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the church and one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Jack’s name to one of the following charities: The Jack E. Bates Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation Endowment Fund, Capital Region Community Foundation, 330 Marshall St., Ste. 300, Lansing, MI 48912, The Sparrow Community Care Board, P. O. Box 30480, Lansing, MI 48909, or The Peoples Church Community Care Ministry, 200 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel. On line condolences may be made at

www.greastlansing.com