David DeWitt Bates

David was born in Worcester, Massachusetts to Charles K. and Dorothy Bates on March 19, 1937. He attended the University of Maryland, where he met and fell in love with Dianna Lee Officer, who became his wife. They were married there in Wheaton, Maryland in October of 1961. David was an active member of the US Army National Guard for nine months as a sharpshooter and was activated for special duty at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the United States Border Patrol. After attending the US Border Patrol Academy, David and Dianna moved to McAllen, Texas to work his first post. He was temporarily deputized into the US Marshal Service on several occasions, including when he assisted the US Government’s effort to integrate the University of Mississippi and protected Washington D.C. during the March on the Pentagon. They welcomed two sons, Jeff and Jim, into the family while living in Texas. In 1967, David was transferred to Massena, New York, where they welcomed a daughter, Jennifer and continued to raise their family, sending all three of their children to college. In 1990, David retired from the US Border Patrol after 29 years of service. He was an avid sports car enthusiast, owning many cars throughout his life. He loved sports car racing and the Boston Red Sox.

David was predeceased by Dianna Lee Bates of Massena, New York and Melbourne, Florida. He is survived by his children, son Jeffrey Bates and wife, Stephanie of Dumfries, Virginia and his grandchildren, Heather Bates of Wilmington, North Carolina and Zachary Bates of Raleigh, North Carolina, son James Bates and wife, Beth of Ashburn, Virginia, and his grandchildren Sam and Claire Bates of Ashburn, Virginia, and daughter Jennifer LaRoe and husband, Jeff of Melbourne, Florida, and grandchildren Rebecca Krassel of Alexandria, Virginia and Connor Krassel of Melbourne, Florida.

A private memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 11:00 am, at Florida Memorial Gardens at 5950 US 1, Rockledge, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation in memory of David DeWitt Bates.