John Edward Bates, 85, passed away June 24, 2008 in Kennewick, Washington. John was born in Chouteau, Oklahoma to John & Martha Chastain Bates and at the age of 2, he moved with his parents to Nampa, Idaho where he attended school until, at the age of 16 he joined the Army having lied about his age. While stationed at Fort Lewis, WA in 1942 he met Ardys Matsen in Yakima, Washington. They had three children Robert, Richard and Edward and in May 2008 celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. During WWII John was a member of the 183rd Field Artillery battalion then was transferred to the 17th Field Observation battalion that landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day and was honorably discharged in 1945. In 1948, John joined the Wapato Police Dept where he worked until 1955. He then went to work for the Tillamook Police Dept until 1959 when he became the Chief of Police in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. Then in 1960 he joined the Tillamook County Sheriff's Dept. In 1963 John tried his hand at the shake and shingle business that took the family to Clallum Bay, Washington. In 1964 the mill was destroyed by fire and John returned to police work joining the Benton County Sheriff's Dept in Kennewick, Washington until he retired in 1972. After Ardys retired in 1975 she and John spent many winters in their RV down in the desert southwest, which they enjoyed very much and made many friends that last to this day. John will be very much missed by all of his family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents John & Martha; brothers Wilbur, Paul, David, Jim and Billie; and sisters Cassie and Alice. John is survived by Ardys, his wife of 66 years; sons Robert and wife Lori of Salem, OR, Richard and wife Kathy of Kennewick, WA, and Edward and wife Joyce of Kennewick, WA; grandchildren Michael, Aaron, Kelly, Delena and Jason; great grandchildren Owen, Gabriel, Conner, Jacob and Chloe; plus numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will be Friday, June 27, 2008, 5:00pm until 8:00pm, at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home located at 1401 S. Union Street in Kennewick. Graveside Services will be Saturday, June 28, 2008, 10:00am, at Desert Lawn Memorial Park 10th & Union Street.