Former PHN coach Bates dies

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A distinguished former Port Huron Northern High School coach has died. James Bates passed away Saturday morning at the age of 85. He was a longtime teacher at the Port Huron Area School District and was named Port Huron Northern’s first Head Football Coach where he helped to pick the new school’s colors of blue and gold. Bates was an inaugural member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame. Visitation for Jim Bates will be Tuesday from 4 to 7pm at the Smith Family Funeral Home on Hancock Street in Port Huron. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at First United Methodist Church.