Gary Bates:
CLASS OF 1963
Mingus Union High SchoolClass of 1963
Cottonwood, AZ
Gary's Story
Graduated in 1963 and joined the Army, June 6 of that year. Became a combat engineer (combat demolition spec.), and was stationed at Schofield Barracks Hawaii (25th Infantry Division)until the summer of 1965. I went to Vietnam that summer and was attached to the 1rst Infantry Division, and the 173 Airborne Brigade. When the 25th division (2nd brigade) moved to CuChi (January 1966), I was reassigned to the 25th division (1rst Battalion 5th Mechanized Infantry). I came home in 1966, and got married to Loretta Gibson (deceased), and we had four children. I now have 11 grandchildren (beautiful), and one great granddaughter - another expected in August 2015. I worked for a variety of folks right after I came home and spent 30 years working for Phelps Dodge in Morenci at t...Expand for more
he heavy duty truck shop maintaining heavy equipment. I retired in December 2000, and worked for Caterpillar for a couple of years. I landed in Alaska for a couple , came back to Phoenix, for a couple, and went to Silver City NM, employed by Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold. I was the Senior Supervisor in the Heavy Duty Shop, supervising the maintenance of 270 ton haul trucks, dozers etc. I am currently assigned out of Phoenix with Freeport, as a heavy equipment maintenance superintendent, working out of my home in Camp Verde. I travel internationally to Chile, Peru, and Africa. I'm still single (19 years). Lots of memories.
I've run into a couple of folks from the past - good conversations. Still single. I think about the old days quite a bit. Those were good times.
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