DAVENPORT, Iowa —Dearrel Bates, 68, who grew up in Muscatine and worked for 44 years as a sportswriter, including nearly 40 years at the Quad-City Times, died early this morning after doing what he loved — covering a game.

Bettendorf police said they discovered Bates, the brother of retired Muscatine Journal sports editor Roger Bates, in his van in the parking lot of a church at 17th and Oak streets about 12:30 a.m. He had covered the Davenport Assumption and Bettendorf football game and was on his way to file a story.

Police said he died as a result of a medical condition. He was transported to Genesis Medical Center — East Campus in Davenport.

Bates had retired in 2006, but he had continued to cover prep games and other assignments as a free-lance writer.

He is survived by his wife Janet, two daughters and a son, and two granddaughters.

Funeral arrangements are pending.