Deeply committed to Santa Rosa County, East Milton, and his family for 66 years, Jeff "Sonny" Ates III, died peacefully early Friday, December 9, 2016, at his home on the bay, in the loving care of his family and his devoted wife June Hodgson Ates. Jeff was born in Pensacola, Florida, on July 15, 1950, to Jeff Ates Jr. & Verna (Ditmars). Sonny graduated from Milton High School in 1968 and attended Jeff Davis Community College in Brewton, Alabama. His life's work included timber management, cattle ranching, row cropping and land clearing. Known as "everybody's friend" and a good Samaritan at heart. Sonny was always quick to help others solve problems. Recognized for his lifelong commitment to agriculture as the 2016 Santa Rosa County's "Friend of Agriculture", Sonny's greatest wish was to preserve youth agriculture education. Determined to protect his land and provide for his family, Sonny was known to be head strong, good humored and generous to a fault. Beloved by many, he will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. He was preceded in his death by his father Jeff Ates, Jr. Jeff is survived by his wife of 44 years, June Ates; his mother, Verna Ates; his sister, Jacqulyn Ates (Bob) Burgess; his brother, Charles Allen (Robbie) Ates , his son, Jeff (Amy) Ates IV; his daughter, Jayme Ates (Mike) Patterson, his daughter, Jodi E. Ates; and his two grandchildren, Makayla and Caden. Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at First Baptist Church of Milton. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at First Baptist Church of Milton, with Dr. David Spencer officiating. Burial will follow services in the Jeff Ates Cemetery with Lewis Funeral Home directing. Pall Bearers include: Jeff Ates IV, Michael Patterson, Tad Lindsey, Les Allen, Kyle Holley, and Max Wilks. Honorary Pall Bearers include: Allen "Butch" Lindsey, Tommy Weekley, Ken Weekley, Bill Timlin, Robert Land, Terry Sowell, Lamar Thompson, Jim Spencer, and Tommy McCranie. The Ates family would like to express their thanks to the nurses, aides and staff of Emerald Coast Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Jeff’s name to Interfaith Ministries (4339 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, Florida, 32563; or by phone at 850-934-8385) or Emerald Coast Hospice (5536 Stewart Street, Milton, Florida 32570, or by phone at 850-995-4664.)