Vernon Charles “Vern” Bates, age 84, died peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Caro Community Hospital following a lingering illness. Vern was born June 7, 1930 in North Branch, the son of the late Clifford and Laura (Brown) Bates. When he was six months old, the family moved to Sebewaing, and he graduated with the Sebewaing High School Class of 1948. Following graduation, Vern served in the U.S. Navy, and enrolled in the Flint Barber College shortly after his discharge. Upon graduation from barber college, he began his apprenticeship barbering under the late Ernie Shaw in Caro, later buying the business from Mr. Shaw. In 1963, Vern was appointed by Gov. Swainson as a Barber Inspector for the State of Michigan, and would eventually also serve as an inspector for beauty shops. Vern was united in marriage with the former Norma Gremel on June 3, 1950, and together they raised three children. His career as a barber inspector led him to work in every county of the state. After thirty years of service, Vern retired on April 30, 1992. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro. Vern was very active with the Caro Little League, and served for twelve years on the Caro School Board where he was also elected president. He loved reading, history, government, and would diligently study politics. Vern was an avid sports fan, especially for the Detroit Tigers. He attended his first live game when he was seven years old and, until recently, could name every player and position they played that day. He also loved spending time at his cabin up north that he referred to as “Bates North.” Vern is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Norma Bates of Caro; one daughter, Annette Macklin of DeWitt; two sons and their spouses, Timothy and Rebecca Bates of Caro, James and Michele Bates of Anchorage, Alaska; four grandchildren and their spouses, Chad and Amy Tomlinson, Eric and Jennifer Tomlinson, Jodi Monacelli, Scott and Susan Bates; and eight great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Anthony Monacelli, Myles, Elliot and Ian Tomlinson, Kate, Jack and Claire Tomlinson. Vern is also survived by a sister, Evelyn Reis; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Doris Bates, Betty Kundinger, Hilda Gremel, James and Judy Gremel; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Vern was preceded in death by his brother, Clifford Bates, Jr; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Harold Proudfoot, Henry Reis, Karl Kundinger, Orville Gremel, Alfred and Dorothy Taglauer. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to That Touch of Home AFC in Caro and Caro Community Hospital for their loving kindness and care. The Bates family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Cremation will follow the visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date and will be announced by the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimer’s Association. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.