Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at St. James Catholic Church for Thomas Joseph Batey, Jr., 76, of Gadsden, who passed away Sunday, April 7, 2013. Father Grey Bean will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.
Mr. Batey entered this world August 25, 1936 to his proud parents, Florence Conyers Batey, and Thomas Joseph Batey, Sr. He was raised in Nashville, TN with his four brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Father Ryan High School June 1, 1954. He entered the U.S. Navy August 15, 1955 and was discharged honorably September 15, 1957.
On September 16, 1957, Batey began college at Jacksonville State University. He graduated May 30, 1963 with a business degree and ended his Republic Steel career. He worked a brief time at Casey Enterprises before finding his true passion for ground engaging tools and went to work for a supply company, where he worked 11 years, mastering his trade.
Batey and his partner and cousin, Jimmy Sanders, started Batey and Sanders Inc. July 1, 1977, selling ground engaging tools and road building supplies. Batey built the business to what it is today and has two locations. Batey and his wife, Beverly, have four daughters, three sons-in-law and four grandchildren.
Mr. Batey served as an Etowah County Commissioner. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was inducted into the Alabama Road Builders Hall of Fame.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Joseph Batey, Sr and Florence Conyers Batey; and brothers: James Timothy Batey, and John Michael Batey.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Beverly Batey; children: Anna Batey (Sam) Bierstock, Connie Batey Scroggins, Kaki Batey (Joey) Hughes, and Jeanne Batey (John) Boyd; grandchildren: Thomas Brice Hughes, Samuel Batey Hughes, Daniel Robert Scroggins, and Emily Anne Scroggins; sisters: Judy Mills and Barbara Batey; brothers: Brantz Batey, and Stephen Batey; and serveral nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be: Thomas Brice Hughes, Samuel Batey Hughes, Daniel Robert Scroggins, Joseph Hughes, John Boyd, Michael Allen Mitchell, Frank Shew III, and Roger Mills.
Special little buddies: Keith Mims, Phillip Crain, Charlie Watts, M.B. McCartney, Lynn Clayton, Bill Burnett, Stan Daily, Fred Sington, Alan Berman, John Dawson, and John Troncale.
Special thanks to Howard and Brenna Moglovkin for your loving care for the past 7 years.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church or School.
Visitation will be at St. James Catholic Church, Tuesday, April 9, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.
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