Marvin C. Bates

Cecil Marvin Bates was born April 6, 1924 west of Clayton in Union County, New Mexico to Osa and Ben Bates and died June 9, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. Marvin helped his mother and father on the farm while attending school in Clayton. After graduation from Clayton High School in May of 1941, Raymond Huff, Superintendent of Clayton Schools, encouraged Marvin to take his test for FBI school in Washington, D.C. Marvin attended FBI school, but he felt a need to serve his country when there was a call for World War II volunteers. He enlisted in the Navy and served on aircraft carriers and planes transporting prisoners to prison camps and rescued U.S. soldiers from prison camps until 1946. He returned to Clayton, married Lou Anne Borden in 1946, and they moved to Denver. Three children, Bonnie, Alan and Diane were born in Denver. In 1958 the family moved to Washington State and operated a farm at ??? for several years. The children attended school, helped on the farm, as Marvin had helped his father during his school years and grew up in a Christian home. He became a Christian at an early age and was an ambitious, hard working person, but it was important that his family grow up to know Christ as their Savior. Marvin was preceded in death by the mother of his children; one sister, Wanda Pauline Henry in 1967; his parents and his daughter, Bonnie. He is survived by his two children, Alan and Diane of Washington and 6 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Ellen Louise (Ernest) Romero of Tijeras, NM and three nieces, Dwana, Daray and Valerie. In 1970 Marvin attended a church service where a pianist caught his eye and he was determined to meet her. He immediately loved her, Rosemary Winters, and they married a few months later and lived in Canada, Montana and Phoenix. Rosemary served as a faithful Christian companion for more than 30 years before moving back to Calgary to be with her children. Marvin’s most important goal in life was serving Christ. He attended church each week and the services were the highlight of his life. He put his life in danger many times helping homeless persons and never thought he served the Lord to the best of his ability. He was very independent, living alone, preparing his meals, taking his medicine, taking care of his rental property, all while having failing eye sight. He endured loneliness and pain which he never complained about and was without a doubt the most Christ like person in this sinful world. I have no doubt he is sitting at the right hand of God. His loneliness is gone, his pain is gone, and he is probably playing his violin and singing, which he dearly loved. We will miss him, but we should not feel sad. We should celebrate his life by being a better Christian. Marvin will like that. He will be laid to rest in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.