04/16/2023
Timothy "Tim" Savoy Bates of Tarrant, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
Tim was a graduate of Tarrant High School where he played football and baseball. After high school, Tim's plan was to play baseball at THE University of Alabama. Coach Bear Bryant published an invite to any high school football player who was accepted to the university to come try out for the football team. Tim along with 126 other players showed up to try out. Out of the 127 players, only 15 ended up on the team and Tim was one of them. This forever changed his life and it is a part of his life from which countless elaborate stories were told.
He attended the University of Alabama where he played football from 1962 - 1966. Tim was the starting linebacker in the 1964 and 1965 SEC Championship games, the 1964 and 1965 National Championship games, and the 1966 Orange Bowl. After playing professional football for one year, he entered the construction and land development business. Tim was a man of many grand ideas and even grander stories.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Garold and Marjorie Bates. He is survived by his children, Michael Bates (Holly), Angela Mott (Demond), Suzanne Bates, Timmy Bates, and Ricky Bates; grandchildren, Michael Bates (Chelsey), Wesley Bates, Abby Bates, and Hinton Mott; sisters, Ann Marie Ingram and Caroline Bates; and two beautiful great grandchildren.
A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, April 23 at 1:00PM at Springdale Baptist Church, 101 Springdale Road, Tarrant, Alabama 35217.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that everyone please say a big "Roll Tide" and make a memorial donation to Helmets for Christ, PO BOX 752, Centreville, AL 35042 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
