Jeff L. Spates, 66, of Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. A celebration of Jeff's life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Glendale Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and will later be donated to the charity of their choosing.

Jeff was born on July 26, 1952 in Waterloo, IA, the son of Loren and Dorothy (Halaska) Spates. The family moved to Sioux City when was Jeff was ten, and in 1970, he graduated from East High School.  Following high school, he was drafted into the United States Army and joined the United States Navy in 1971. He served as a ceremonial guard at Arlington National Cemetery and in 1977 was honorably discharged.  In 1980, Jeff joined the 185th Air National Guard, retiring in 1998.

Jeff married Susan Carroll in October of 1979 in Sioux City. He worked at various places in the Siouxland area. Jeff had always been an outdoorsmen and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. In his youth, he was a Boy Scout and achieved the highest ranking honor of Eagle Scout.  Jeff coached both of his sons in baseball at Morningside Little League and volunteered his time as a board member for many years. He was a member of the American Legion in Sergeant Bluff and a former member of the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple.

Survivors include his wife, Susan; sons, Andy Spates and his children, Broden and Kailynne Spates, Adam (Darcey) Spates and their children, Tayla Downs, Tillie, Maevis, and Knox Spates, all of Sioux City; sisters, Julie (Fritz) Burow of Tiffin, IA, Sue (Dennis) Henke of Colorado, and Lisa (Larry) Franco of Sergeant Bluff; and Sarah Spates of Sioux City.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dave Lethcoe and Jeff and Loretta Nash for the great friendship they have had with Jeff over the years.