Donn Bate

Donn Austin Bate, 77, of Rigby, passed away November 21, 2017, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Donn was born September 25, 1940, in Grants Pass, Oregon, to Austin Leo Bate and Voilet Ella Fox Bate. His family briefly lived in California but moved to Idaho Falls where he grew up and attended grade, middle and high school. He married Maxine Hunt and from this union were born two children, John and Donna. They later divorced. He later married LaRue Musgrave and to this union was born one daughter, Cindy. They later divorced. He then married Cindy Burgess and later divorced but she remained a very special person to him to the end of his life. In Donn’s earlier years for a short time, he was a law officer in California. After his time in California, he moved to Idaho Falls where he worked as a truck driver for a few different companies. He retired due to health issues and moved to Swan Valley where he worked for Julie and Bill Haas’ Shuttling Service. He moved to and spent the end of his life in Rigby, Idaho, near his son and daughter-in-law, John and Becky. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, horses and the outdoors. He was proud to have served in the Navy. He was an avid Ham radio operator and he loved his dog, Chesney. Donn is survived by his son, John (Becky) Bate of Rigby, ID; daughter, Cindy Bybee of Salt Lake City, UT; sister, Vonda Bate of Pocatello, ID; 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin and Voilet Bate; daughter, Donna Hall; sister, Allyn Bate; and sister, Betty Bate. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 30, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge in Idaho Falls, with Bishop Kim Cannon officiating. The family will visit with friends from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Grant Central Cemetery where Military Rites will be performed by the Jefferson County Veterans Memorial Team and the Navy Honor Guard.

Funeral services will be held