John (Jack) Stephen Bate was born October 1, 1940 to Almon Birdell and Helen Innes Bateman Bate. He grew up, the youngest of four children, in Ogden, Utah. After a short and valiant battle with a brain tumor, he passed away on May 14, 2023 surrounded by family.

Throughout his life, Jack was athletic, competitive, and adventurous. He loved to travel and trips in the RV were always fun family experiences. The family slept while Jack drove through the night. In the morning, they might wake up on a beach at Lake Powell, California, or even Mexico. Jack's children still talk about climbing to the top of the RV to watch fireworks.

Trips in the RV often included family boating adventures, fishing, and family sports. Basketball games with his sons could top the list of "most competitive games of all time." It was always Jack and his son Gary against his other two sons, Rick and John. Jack's daughters stood on the sidelines cheering. Basketball wasn't Jack's only favorite sport. He spent a few years as a semi-professional football player with the Salt Lake Vikings. He also loved motorcycle racing and was an accomplished desert racer. He even passed his love of motorsports to some of his grandchildren who loved sharing their racing stories with Grandpa Jack.

In July of 2017, Jack's love of excitement and sports led him to a game of pickleball where he met his sweetheart, Mary Cherry. A year later, on September 15, 2018, they were married. The last six years, with Mary and with family, were a constant adventure and some of the best times in Jack's life.

Spending time with his family was very important to Jack and he was incredibly proud of his family. One of his favorite things was sitting around with kids and grandkids telling stories. Through his stories, he shared his bravery, adventurous spirit, and competitive nature and he passed on his fun-loving spirit and his wisdom to his family.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, brothers AJ and Larry, sister Luana Stringham, and great-granddaughter Kennedy Smith. He is survived by his wife Mary; children Rick (Kathy), Gary (Lisa), John (Andrea), Kristyne (Kirk Stubbs), Suzanne (Bryan Roper), Melanie (Zack Schaffer,); step-daughter Cessily (Cole Johnson); 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Jack's adventures in this life are at an end. But now he's taking part in the greatest adventure of all. And his family looks eagerly forward to the day when they can climb to the top of some heavenly RV and listen to Dad's and Grandpa's stories again.

"Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see

Through many dangers, toils, and snares

I have already come

Tis grace that brought me safe thus far

And grace will lead me home"