David Robert Bates
b.13.01.1936. d.16.04.2010Eulogy read by Shirley Coates, funeral celebrant
David was born on 13th January 1936 in Salford. . He was the son of Nora and Tegwyn and brother to Olwen and Moira who doted on him and whom he would always stay close to. His father was in the Army stationed in the far east throughout the war. David fondly remembered his father would write him letters and enclose drawings and cartoons and little rhymes.
His childhood was warm and secure with a loving extended family including his Gran who looked after him whilst his mum was working. It was devastating for David to lose his sister Moira at only 30years of age. He would remain very close to Olwyn until her sad passing in 2003.
David was a bright intelligent lad who attended Salford Grammar school, going onto Manchester University which he enjoyed.
His working life started in I.T where he went onto train other new recruits in ICT which went onto become ICL. By this time David and Pat had already met at the local Amateur Dramatic society in Withington. They enjoyed a great courtship and married in 1960 and they began married life in a beautiful village by the Thames .
Pat always said she married David because he made her laugh and this was a strong happy marriage based on love and mutual respect. They were great friends and David’s humour and quick wit were a big part of family life.
Just before Clive their eldest child was born they moved back to Manchester where David would go onto work for several companies eventually working as Sales Director at The Manchester Computer Centre – a time of great excitement and enthusiasm at an expanding company in a new industry. After moves to work at Univac and Honeywell, David would go onto start his own company MCL.
All throughout his working life David was highly respected not only for his knowledge, skills and hard working nature, but also for his tremendous integrity and his ability to get on well with people, whatever their background. ,
The family was complete with the birth of Moira and Gavin. David loved his three children totally and unconditionally and there really wasn’t anything in the world he wouldn’t have done for them all.
David as you all know was always a sociable man who made many friends along the way. One of his oldest friends from over 50yrs was Ray Jones. Ray and his wife Pat, and David and Pat have been firm friends from all that time, in fact both Pats have known each other since being four years old.
Ray is away at the moment and is unable to be here so it’s a privilege for me to ask their good friend Derek Cowie to come forward and share a tribute written by Ray for David
