Tanner Austin Bates, sports fanatic, prankster, and sore loser, received the kind of call he couldn’t refuse on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 and traded in his earthly body for his heavenly wings.
Tanner was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 11, 1993 with piercing blue eyes, a tender heart, and the life of the party.
Tanner’s contagious smile, genuine heart, and knack for being quite the jokester are sure to be remembered.
He was well known for his ‘heart of gold’ and always making sure everyone felt included. Whether it be family game night at Mamaw & Papaw’s, kickball with Jenn and the guys, or Disc Golf with his big brother Justin, Tanner loved having fun with those who meant the most to him – and loved pulling pranks on them too!
He had a life-long love affair with Taco Bell – especially a bean burrito with extra beans and onions, red sauce and cheese on top – and often wasted the day away binging Yellowstone and Big Sky, wearing his raggedy old Arkansas Razorback tank top that Jenn would have happily lost in the laundry. More than anything, Tanner was a Momma’s boy. Even through high school, she would get up before him on cold mornings to start his truck and run his bath water.
Not one to miss a sporting event, Tanner was an accomplished athlete in both baseball and football, earning both All-Conference and All-State respectively. Proudly graduating from Bauxite High School in 2011, he accepted a Baseball Scholarship to play short-stop at Arkansas Baptist College. After years of also playing American Legion Baseball, Tanner was beyond stoked to receive the call in 2020, asking him to return to the field and coach alongside his beloved mentor Michael Mattox.
You could say Tanner was a bit passionate when watching his favorite teams. It didn’t matter the sport – if the Arkansas Razorbacks, Florida Gators, or St. Louis Cardinals were playing, you could find Tanner on the other side of the broadcast, usually pacing back and forth. Yet, he hated The Cubs. And watermelon.
Tanner was most proud of his journey to recovery, his relationship with his new fiancée, Jenn, being the coolest uncle to his nephew, Crew, and the best fur daddy to his and Jenn’s fur babies – Gunner, his beloved Lab that was his rock through all the valleys, Aspen – their adorable Wheaten Terrier, and most recently Archie, their new Goldendoodle. He loved both deer and duck hunting, as well as playing kickball, softball, and disc golf – all with a cold beer in his hand.
With only days left to finish, Tanner was planning to complete electrical school and finally take his licensing exam to become a Licensed Electrician. Having impacted so many others during his journey to recovery, Tanner also wanted to help others by continuing to share his story.
Tanner also wanted to help others by continuing to share his story. After traveling to Cancun next summer, he and Jenn had plans to marry in the fall and start a family together.
Tanner had special relationships with his brother Justin and his work buddies Jacob Ball, Maddy Davidson, and Keith Kincaid. Yet, his Papaw Bates was likely his favorite person of all.
He was preceded in death by his Nanny June Passon and great-grandparents John Hester, Helen Hester, Beaulah Richards, Willard Richards, Sam Bates, and Gladys Bates.
He is survived by a family who treasured him. His mother and stepfather, Lisa and Alan Buffington. His father and stepmother, Robert and Sandy Bates. His brother Justin Bates, and wife Brooke. His stepsisters Taylor, Bailey, and Kenzie Buffington. His stepbrothers Ty and Tanner Noel. His fiancée Jennifer Asberry. His grandparents, Robert and Doris Bates, Jackie and Susie Goodson, Joyce Buffington, and his Nam Carolyn Norris. His nephew Crew Bates. His aunts and uncles, Jerry and Tammy East, Ben Deaver, Randy and Colleen Childress, Keith Eldridge, Phyllis Ventress, and Steve and Christie Staggs. His cousins, Justin and Meredith Bull, Blake Childress, Hannah Deaver, Jake East, Hunter Deaver, and Malachi Eldridge. And so many more colleagues, friends, and relatives who loved him deeply.
Tanner’s fellow Hog fans will serve as pallbearers – Taylor Appling, Jacob Ball, Randy Carson, Blake Childress, Keith Kincaid, Justin King, Briar Sample, and Jorge Vargas. Trey Landry, Chad Lawrence, and Maddy Davidson will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The celebration of Tanner’s life will be held at 12pm on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant. Visitation will be held the evening prior – Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 6-8pm.
Memorial contributions can be made to The EMpact One Foundation, 3524 Alcoa Road, Benton, AR 72015 – or via PayPal: paypal.me/empactone by including the “Tanner Bates Memorial Fund” in the memo.
