John Spates

John Joseph Spates, a resident of Peoria, Arizona, passed away on January 15, 2015 at the age of 92. He was born on December 3, 1922 in Seattle, Washington, where he was raised and graduated from Seattle Preparatory School. John served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. After raising three sons in Seattle from a previous marriage, he and his wife Glenna raised a family in Santa Rosa, California. In 1995, John and Glenna relocated to Wickenburg, Arizona. John retired from a career in commercial food sales in 1989. He treasured spending time with his family and friends. John was a devout Catholic and an active parishioner at St. Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church in Wickenburg. He loved sports, model railroading, and traveling the world to explore and learn more about history and other cultures. He had a quick and hearty laugh and was always ready to help anyone in need. John is survived by Glenna, his wife of 47 years; sons Dennis Patrick Spates (wife Loretta and daughter Madeline) of New York, New York and Timothy Edward Spates (partner Thu Tran) of San Ramon, California; stepson Dean (wife Ruth, daughter Kara Priest, son Joey Spates, and grandsons Marcus, Damon, and Micah Priest) of Cave Creek, Arizona; stepdaughter Denise Turner of Cave Creek, Arizona; and grandson Jesse Spates of Jacksonville, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his son, John Michael Spates. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 23rd, at St. Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church in Wickenburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that anyone who wishes to make a contribution in memory of John may do so to St. Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church or the charity of their choice.