Paul Alan Bates, age 75, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. Following the service, he will be laid to rest in Maury Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the United States Navy. A visitation will also be held on Monday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the funeral home.
Born on September 25, 1948, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Paul was the son of the late Paul J. Bates and the late Louise Boyd Bates. He loved Lawrence County and was never hesitant to tell people he was born and raised there.
Paul honorably served in the United States Navy from 1967 – 1971. He attended Law School at the University of Memphis, and practiced law in Lawrenceburg from 1976 – 2010, at which time he retired. Paul was also a substitute Lawrenceburg City Judge for fifteen years.
Paul was a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and a member (and past President) of the Lawrence County Bar Association. Along with various other organizations, he was past member of the American Bar Association, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, and The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He served on the Board of Directors of Lawrenceburg Power System from 1995 – 2011, and he served on the Maury County Board of Zoning Appeals.
Along with his career and involvement in numerous organizations, Paul loved his dogs, was an avid reader, and enjoyed sports, traveling, and the beach.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Bates of Columbia, TN, daughter, Meredith Bates (Christian) Humbert of Kingsport, TN, stepson, Cory (Carmen) Muehlbauer of Columbia, TN, sister, Kim Chunn of Cumming, GA, brother, Charles Matthew Bates of Lawrenceburg, TN, grandchildren, Grace Humbert and Evelyn Humbert of Kingsport, TN, Willa Muehlbauer of Columbia, TN, sister in law, Leatha Bates of Pulaski, TN, and nephews, Ben (Ashlee) Bates, Nathan (Jennifer) Chunn, Daniel Chunn, and Jacob Bates.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tim Bates.
Pallbearers will be Cory Muehlbauer, Ben Bates, Christian Humbert, Nathan Chunn, David Freeman, and David Cook.
The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to Caris Hospice, especially Mariah, Brittney, and Casey for their care for Paul during this difficult time.
