John Scott Bates

Wasilla resident John Scott Bates, 54, died surrounded by his loving family and friends May 2, 2013, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

Pastor Wayne McDonell will officiate at a memorial service in honor of John at 4 p.m., May 11 at Wasilla Community Church, 701 S. Seward Meridian Parkway.

John was born Jan. 23, 1959, in Berkeley, Calif., to Phyllis Bates.

John moved to North Pole with his family in 1969 and later to Anchorage in 1975. He graduated from Service High School in 1977 and worked for the city of Anchorage Public Works Department as a mechanic. He later transferred to ATU in 1983.

John married Nikki Duczek in 1986 and they had two wonderful sons together, Andrew and John. In 2001, they moved into the cabin they had spent countless hours building in Wasilla. John continued to work for ATU for several years, but left in 2008. He worked a short time at MTA and eventually retired from the IBEW in 2009.

John enjoyed many hobbies such as snowmachining, riding dirt bikes, fishing and hunting. But most of all, he cherished the times he took his sons hunting for caribou and moose at Eureka and numerous places around Alaska. He was always tinkering with old and new vehicles; there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix, create or build.

Surviving are his two sons, Andrew and John; daughter-in-law, Csesalie; sister, Heidi Angle; and the love of his life, his mother, Phyllis.

“He will be greatly missed, but will live forever in our hearts.”

Arrangements cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.