Anthony Bates

Anthony Lee Bates age 39 of Canyon, Texas passed away at his home in Canyon May 29, 2014.

Anthony was born on August 30, 1974 to Horace and Lorraine Mary Greco Bates at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, AZ. He graduated from Clovis High School in 1993 where he was a member of the Clovis High School Band. He then attended and graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2013. He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha fraternity and also a member of the Wayland Baptist University Band. Anthony is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Clovis, NM.

After graduation, Anthony began planning for his Masters Degree. Anthony was employed with the Plainview, TX police Department where he joined the Volunteer reserve on November 25, 1997. He was hired on October 12, 1998, as a police dispatcher basically, to get his foot in the door.. He was promoted to patrol officer April 12, 1999 and received his Mental Health officer certification on 732001. He was promoted to patrol corporal January 27, 2003 and received his Intermediate Peace officer License on 412003. Anthony resigned to accept a position with TABC September 25, 2005. Anthony received a couple of letters of appreciation for his assistance with a robbery suspect, and another for being very polite and professional on a call for service. Anthony had been an intoxilyzer operator. He was just an allaround great guy who would go out of his way to do anything for anyone he came into contact with. In one case the department had arrested a woman travelling through town with some small children in the car for DWI. Anthony took care of the children until arrangements could be made for someone to come get the children. Anthony had the kids up on his lap and they were all, including Anthony, coloring with crayons. Just an example of how he would go that extra mile to show compassion for some kiddos going through a tough time.

On 1012005, Anthony was hired as Agent trainee assigned to the Lubbock District office for the TABC. On 1012009 he was promoted to Agent 2. On 1012013 he was promoted to Agent 3. On 112014 Anthony transferred to the Amarillo Area office. While with TABC, Anthony received the following certifications: Basic Instructor License on 1242007, Firearms Instructor License on 11172008 and Master Peace Officer on 11152009. Anthony taught many education classes while assigned to the Lubbock District. These classes were taught to both civilians and Law Enforcement Agencies throughout West Texas. Anthony was actively involved in teaching many of the projects TABC has that involve underage drinking and educating retailers. Some of these were: the SERVE program, MAP program, SAVE program and Shattered Dreams. Anthony taught at many local Police Departments and Sheriffs Offices teaching both basic and advanced Liquor Law. He also taught the Mental Health update on a regular basis to local Agencies. Recently, Anthony had taken over responsibility as the Firearms Instructor for Sector 110, responsible for the training and qualifications of Agents in Lubbock and Amarillo. He received two certificates of appreciation from the Crime Victim Coalition for outstanding service in 2012 and 2013.

Anthony is survived by his father, Horace Bates and his stepmother Sandi Bates, both of Clovis, NM, two brothers: Christopher Bigler of San Antonio, TX and Timothy Bigler of Austin, TX and nephew Daniel Bigler of San Antonio, TX.

He is preceded in death by his mother Lorraine Bates.

A Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at SteedTodd Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial is at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Carlos Chavez officiating. Burial will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis, NM. Pallbearers are TABC Agents. Honorary pallbearers are Tim Kelly, Brian Morris, George Rangel, Plainview Police Officers and high school friends.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 90790, Albuquerque, NM 87119, the American Diabetes Association, 2625 Pennsylvania, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 or to the Fraternal Order of Police, Eastern Plains Lodge 11, PO Box 141, Clovis, NM 88102.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of SteedTodd Funeral Home and Crematory, 800 E Manana Blvd, Clovis, New Mexico 575 7635541. You may also sign the online guest registry at www.steedtodd.com .

Service

Rosary

Steed Todd Chapel
800 E. Manana Blvd
Clovis, NM  88101
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
6:00 p.m.

Mass

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
911 Merriwether
Clovis, NM  88101
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens
1601 E. Llano Estacado
Clovis, NM  88101

Memorial Contributions

P. O. Box 90790
Albuquerque, NM  87199


2625 Pennsylvania NE
Albuquerque, NM  87110


Eastern Lodge #11
Clovis, NM  88102