.BATES, VERNON WALLACE. Vernon W. Bates, 81, of Sarasota, Florida died of natural causes on November 9, 2010. Mr. Bates was born in Birmingham, Alabama and lived in Morrow, GA until he moved to Sarasota nine years ago. Vernon was a 1957 engineer graduate of Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. He was a veteran with an AL3 rank of the Korean War serving with the Navy VP-21 Squadron from 1949 to 1952. Vernon was an air traffic controller for the Hampton Center, GA. He had emeritus status with the Grand Lodge of Georgia, F.&A.M. He is survived by his sister Barbara Murphy and brother Allen Bates, his children Diana Leatherwood, Elaine Taunton, Steve Bates, Glenn Bates, and Jim Bates and a host of grandchildren and friends. Vernon was predeceased by his wife Betty Sue Baker Bates and his parents Howard and Inez Bates. Funeral services will held 11:00 AM Firday, November 12, 2010 at Ward’s Fairview Chapel with Pastor Joe Hughes officiating. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Atlanta, GA. The family will receive friends Thursday, November 11, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at Horis A. Ward Fairview Chapel, 376 Fairview RD, Stockbridge, GA 30281.770-474-1231. Please visit www.horisawardfairviewchapel.com to send condolences to the Bates family.
