PANAMA CITY, FLA - Lt. Col. Neil Gaillard Bates, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), 78, died Saturday, February 25, 2012. Born in Sumter, S.C., he was a son of the late John O. Barwick Jr. and Ellinor G. Crawford. He was raised by his mother and his stepfather, Joe M. Bates, at Wateree. Neil lettered in baseball as a pitcher at both Clemson College and the United States Naval Academy. He was a highly respected equestrian in racing and fox hunting circles throughout the Carolinas and Virginia, as his many blue ribbons and trophies attest.
Lt. Col. Bates retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years, but, always involved, he was a member and past president of M.O.A.A three times over. His home church was Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Panama City. Professionally, he sold health and life insurance and taught insurance courses for licensing in Florida. He was the Clemson University IPTAY representative for N.W. Florida, a lifetime NRA member, one of the 46 original members of Por Le Merite, and a lifetime member of the French Huguenot Society of Charleston. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and golfer.
Neil is survived by his wife of 54 years, Malinda Marshall; daughters, Malinda "Cay" Heath (Steve), of Smethport, Pa., and Teresa C. Beverly (David) of Orangeburg, SC.; two brothers, Joe Mac Bates Jr. (Annie) of Irmo, John "Butch" Barwick (Keary) of Midland, Ga.; eight grandsons, Brian Beverly and David (Cate), Joseph (Sarah), Nathaniel (Coleen), Benjamin, Samuel, Micah and Peter Gaillard Heath.