BATES, Bryan

BATES BRYAN KEITH BATES, of Lethbridge, AB passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at the age of 76 years.
Bryan is survived by Diane Bates, his devoted wife of 56 years; daughter Penny (Jamie) Balfour, and son Keith (Amber); grandchildren: Cass, Treyvis (Lindsey), Branton (Danielle), Jorden (Haley), and Justin (Elizabeth); great-grandchildren: Bowie, Mick, Hunter, Noah, Toby, Pyper, Roman, Riley, Harlee, Kase, and Oaklen; his brothers, Lyle (Colleen), and Morley (Ruth); as well as many nieces, nephews, and special uncles, Lyle Wiltshire & family and Elgin Wiltshire.
Waiting to welcome him are his parents Stewart & Florence Bates.
Bryan was born on December 1, 1949 in Birch River, Manitoba. Grandma used to say she had to be strict with him, because if she gave an inch, he took a mile. That became the theme of his life; he lived it to the fullest and always on his terms. In 1959, the family moved to Lethbridge and from there, Bryan built a full life.
A Celebration of life will be held at HUNGARIAN CANADIAN SOCIETY, 410 2 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, March 21 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Please wear your best worn-out blue jeans.
For those that would like, a donation can be made to a charity of your choice. A few that Dad would be fond of – NOKA: lethbridge.noka@gmail.com or Chinook Regional Hospital Association: https://crhfoundation.ca
To honour the way, he lived – fully, boldly, and without hesitation – in the words of Hunter S. Thompson:
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a ride!'”
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com