Dr. Homer Lee Bates passed away suddenly on April 8, 2015. He was born on July 4, 1944 in Peru, Indiana and was the son of Charles Bates and Pauline Mitchell Bates. He is survived by his wife: Judy Perkin of Starke, children: Matthew Bates of Orlando, Ryan Bates of Lynn Haven, and Karla Bates (Heather) of Columbia, South Carolina. Also left behind is his mother-in-law, Jacqueline Perkin of Starke and two nephews, Kevin Moore of Ft. Wayne, IN and Guy Moore (Linda) of Peru, IN.Dr. Bates grew up in Indiana and Tennessee and was the first member of his family to attend college. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 -1970 and was stationed at both Walter Reed Army Hospital and the Pentagon.Homer received his B.S. in Accountancy and an M.B.A. degree with a major in Business Economics and Public Policy in 1971 from Indiana University. He earned his doctorate in Accounting from the University of Illinois in 1977. He served as an Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina and was a Professor and Associate Dean/Director of the M.B.A. Program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Dr. Bates came to the University of North Florida in 1984 and was a Professor and also served as Chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance, Coggin College of Business from 1984-1993. Dr. Bates served as the faculty advisor to the accounting student organization Alpha Sigma Pi at UNF from 2002-2005. He loved teaching and was the recipient of the UNF Outstanding Teaching Award in 2003. Homer recently retired from UNF and held the title of Professor Emeritus at the time of his death. Homer married Judy Perkin in 1990 in Marineland, Florida and they moved to Starke in 1996 where they developed a great affection for the town and its people. In August of 2015, they would have been married 25 years and in 2008 they renewed their vows at the Starke Golf and Country Club.Homer loved animals, sports, politics, and traveling. He was an avid fan of Indiana basketball. Homer was foremost a wonderful husband and father and will be greatly missed by his wife, family, and many friends. He attended St. Marks Episcopal Church.A celebration of life for Homer was held at St. Marks Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 12th at 2:30 PM. The celebration continued with a party at the family home. The family thanks the St. Marks Family who prepared for and conducted the service and also all those who attended either in person or in spirit. We also thank those who helped support us during this difficult days immediately after Homers death.Homers ashes will be buried in Raymondville, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley near Mexico. A graveside service will be held in Texas in late December of 2015.Memorial donations may be made to: The Salvation Army of Starke, 523 E. Washington Street, Starke, Florida 32091 or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 424 E. 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128-6804 or through the ASPCA website at http://www.aspca.org. Memorial donations may also be given to Priests Discretionary Fund or the Multiuse Audiovisual Fund of St. Marks Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 487, Starke, Florida 32091. Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME OF STARKE 904-964-6200. On-line condolences may be left at www.jonesgallagherfh.com hide