Sam Yates Jr.

YATES
Sam Martin Yates, Jr. born on September 5, 1927 to Sam Martin Yates and Beulah DeGrote Yates made his peaceful transition on a cold winter's evening February 3, 2011. For several days prior to his death, he was surrounded by his children, generous caregivers and the woman he never really stopped loving, his former wife Sue Nell Hearn, which surely gave him comfort in his remaining days on this earth.
Given his humble beginning, Sam achieved much in his 83 years having graduated from both medical school and law school. His medical practice focused on Orthopedic surgery. In midlife, his career shifted to the practice of law maintaining a successful civil trial practice for many years prior to retirement.
Sam is survived by his three children, Sam Martin (Trey) Yates, III., of Houston, Kimberly Sue Williams and her husband Richard Williams of College Station and James Burke Evans Yates and his wife Karen Yates of Pflugerville.
His grandchildren are Anthony Williams and Sarah Williams of College Station and his great grandson is Aiden Williams of College Station.
Sam is also survived by his sister Ruth Youngblood of Austin and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sam will be remembered for his sense of humor, love for wine, women and music.
Although the dementia he suffered in his final years robbed him of much of life's dignity and language, he never stopped saying "I love you" to those he recognized and for which he had affection.
The family extends their gratitude to Laura Simons and the staff of The Hampton at Pinegate for the care given to Sam.
Sam's interment will be beside his parents at the Robstown Memorial Park in Robstown, Texas following a graveside memorial service. "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning." Online tributes may be posted at www.bradshawcarter.com.