Jeffrey M. Bates, 54 of Toronto, Ohio formerly of Wellsburg, WV, passed away Friday Jan. 18, 2013 in the Shands Medical Center in Gainesville, FL.Jeff was born on September 23, 1958 in Steubenville, OH, son of Marvin L. Bates and Marlene (Bates) Sayers.Jeff loved his family and fought his battle til the very end. He was an installer with the Jefferson Co. Cable Company and he also worked for the family owned Lime Rock Mine in Florida. He loved boating, people, his friends, and he touched many people's lives in many ways. Everybody has a story to share about Jeff. Jeff loved racing his mini-stock car in McAllen, TX, he loved hunting alligators and he loved his dog Lucky.Jeff is survived by his parents, Marvin L. Bates of Toronto, OH and Marlene Sayers of Wellsburg, WV; his daughter Victoria "Tori" Bates of Dillon, SC; two sisters, Jeanne (Kevin) Yanda of Follansbee, WV and Melanie (Lee) Cecchini of Wellsburg, WV; two brothers, Rex Bates and Marvin L. "Bouk" Bates, Jr. both of Toronto, OH; step-sister Barb Lamantia of Toronto, OH. Jeff also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and while living in Inglis, FL., Jeff made many many friends. Visitation for Jeff will be held on Tuesday evening from 6-8pm at the J.E. Foster Funeral Home 701 Findley St. Toronto, OH 43964 and again on Wednesday from 2-8pm at the funeral home. Jeff's funeral service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24 at 11am at the J.E. Foster Funeral Home and burial will follow in Island Creek Cemetery in Toronto, OH.Everyone is encouraged to write down their favorite memories of Jeff and bring them to the funeral home where they will be collected and shared with Jeff's family. Memorial contributions may be made in Jeff's memory to the Shands Medical Center Neurological Intensive Care Unit 1600 SW Archer Rd. Gainesville, FL 32610.

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