Daniel Joseph Bates

Daniel Joseph Bates of Austin, Texas, age 61, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 2, 2020. Dan will be remembered for his strong work ethic, quick wit and ability to make the most mundane events interesting. He will be sorely missed.

Born on January 18, 1959, Dan spent his early childhood in Huntington, New York, where he enjoyed boating and fishing with his grandfather on Long Island Sound and exploring New York City, becoming a lifelong Mets and Jets fan. When his family moved to Pittsfield, MA, he developed a love for alpine skiing, cross country skiing and hockey. The family relocated to the Austin area in the middle of his senior year of high school, and this preppy New Englander quickly made his presence known at rural Round Rock High School, developing numerous friendships despite his short tenure. Dan started college at the University of Denver, to which he was drawn by his love of skiing. He spent his final two years at The University of Texas at Austin, where he affiliated with Beta Theta Pi fraternity and made many lifelong friends.

After graduating from UT in 1981 with a BBA in Finance, Dan became a licensed stockbroker for Thomson-McKinnon and in this role worked on Wall Street. Later he obtained a real estate license and worked in land development in Austin with Bish Development. A weakening economy coupled with a desire for greater independence led him to complete his MBA at St. Edward's University and obtain licensure as a CPA. He started his own accounting practice from his kitchen table and achieved success in great part because of the personal attention he paid each client. While taxes and accounting were his bread and butter, advising on investments and business ventures was his true passion.

Dan married his soul mate, Jan, on November 12, 1988, and they had two children, Frances and Daniel. Dan was a member of Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church for 26 years where he taught fourth-grade Sunday school for years and was active in their Partnership class and Cursillo. Dan coached numerous sports for his kids, but was most passionate about Daniel’s baseball teams. He also participated actively in Cub Scouts as a den leader and held many adult leadership positions in Boy Scout Troop 5, volunteering countless hours for camp outs, Philmont and assistance with Eagle projects. Of all things in life, Dan was most proud of his kids and the adults they became. Their activities and family vacations were always priorities.

Dan was a diehard Longhorn fan, rarely missing a football or basketball game. He loved playing golf, and if he wasn’t at work or a Longhorn event, could be found teeing off at Austin Country Club. He also enjoyed hunting and traveling. His favorite trips included visits to his family back in the Northeast, where he relished eating steamers and lobsters at the family lake house in Connecticut and taking jaunts to Block Island, Cape Cod, Maine and New Hampshire. He looked forward to annual beach trips with family friends and enjoyed fly fishing and skiing in Breckenridge. He was an avid reader, especially of historical novels, and had a flair for writing, which included his “Dear Kathy” letters to family members, as well as his “Otherside of the Universe” series, comical recaps of Daniel’s baseball games.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, John Bates, and sister, Kathy Bates. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jan, and his children, Frances and Daniel. He is also survived by his mother, Beatrice Bates, sister, Marilyn Quinlan and husband Tom, and brother, John Bates and wife Michelle. Other survivors include in-laws Robert and Harriet Johnson, Jim and June Underhill, nieces and nephews, Edward, Paul and Jacqueline Bates, Eric and wife Kelsie, Margaret and Sarah Flemister, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021, at 11:00 am at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church (WHPC).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to WHPC or to a cause of your interest.