Mark C. Bates

Mark Clark Bates, 89, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024, in Naples, Florida, surrounded by his family. Mark was born on February 6, 1935, in Nashville, Tennessee to the late Thomas Edward Bates, Sr. and Marie Antoinette Buford Bates. He attended Nashville public schools, Belmont University and Vanderbilt Law School. He married Annie Lee (Eun Hee) Bates on April 28, 1981. He was blessed with two daughters and five grandchildren. He served in the Army as a speech writer to a General. He owned the first T.G.I.F. franchise in Nashville. He was a President of Young Republicans in Nashville and campaigned full time for Barry Goldwater. He began to invest in real estate in Nashville and then became a commercial real estate developer in Virginia and Naples, Florida. He loved to read, travel and was an active member of First Baptist Church of Naples. As a dedicated grandfather, he was present when each of his grandchildren were born and was an active part of their lives.

Survivors include Annie Lee (Eun Hee) Bates, beloved wife of 43 years; daughters Deborah Yoshino (Hiroshi) and Loretta Myers (Kevin); grandchildren Ken Yoshino, Bryan Yoshino, Christopher Myers, Joshua Myers and Emily Yoshino; twin brother Buford (Betty) Bates and nieces Catherine Graham, Allison Bender (Chris), and Melissa Richards (Paul). He was preceded in death by parents Thomas Edward Bates, Sr. and Marie Antoinette Buford Bates, sister Marianne Bates Clark and brother Thomas Edward Bates, Jr.

A Memorial service will be held Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Naples, 3000 Orange Blossom Dr, Naples, Fl, where he was a long-time member. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10306 (T2T.ORG). Condolences can be made on line at www.dignitymemorial.com.