Clarence “Clank” G. Bates Sr.

Clarence Glen Bates, Sr., affectionately known as “Clank,” was born on November 17, 1951, to Herman Sr. and Ernestine Bates in Joliet, IL. He departed this life peacefully on April 13, 2026.

Clank graduated from Lockport Central High School as an All-American athlete in basketball and track and field. He later attended junior college in New Mexico and joined the United States Navy. He went on to serve his community as an officer with the Joliet Police Department and later traveled the country as an over-the-road truck driver.

Music was the rhythm of Clank’s life. His deep love for music was not just a passion but a legacy, one that found its way into the hearts of his children and grandchildren, and lives on through them still.

Clank married his high school sweetheart, and from their union were blessed with two children: Clarence Jr. (Chip) and Chelsea Lynnette. Later, Clank found love again and was united in marriage to Marene Hardy-Bates, whom he cherished until her passing.

He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Clarence Glen Bates, Jr. (Chip), and daughter-in-law Chanelle, along with their children Trinity Blocker (Christian) and great-granddaughter Sakari, Tycee, Tazia, and Taya Bates; his daughter, Chelsea Johnson, and son-in-law Kwesi, along with their children Kaleb, Colin, Kimari, and Calais Johnson; his stepsons, Greg Hardy (Elisha) and Tavaras Hardy (Billee), along with their families; his sisters, Dorcas Shomaker and Allison Hamerla; his brothers, Herman Bates, Jr., Timothy Bates, Douglas Pinnick, and Charles Russell; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends whose lives were touched by his life.

Clank is preceded in death by his parents, Herman Sr. and Ernestine Bates; his former wife, Minnie Bates-Hervey; his beloved wife, Marene Hardy-Bates; his sisters, Rosetta Thompson and Kimberly Holloman; his stepdaughter, Monica Hardy; and his grandson, Christopher Jordan Johnson.

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