Thomas Leon Yates

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Thomas Leon Yates
HARLINGEN, TX.-Thomas Leon Yates, 81, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2006 at his residence.
He was born at Indian Creek near, Monroe City, Missouri, in a log cabin on August 1, 1924. His family moved to Harlingen on October 12, 1926. Tommy went to grade school at Immaculate Heart Catholic School and graduated from the Harlingen High School.
At the age of eighteen, he joined the Army/Air Force. While serving in the European theater with the 461st bomb group, 766 Bomb Squadron, stationed in Fogi, Italy, he was a flight engineer and a top turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator.
After completing his missions, he received a bachelor's of science at Southwest Texas Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas with a double major in math and science. While in college, he met his future wife Gene Cutshall and later said of her, ``I married happiness.'' They wed at St. Anthony's Church on March 24, 1951, Easter Day.
He served as General Manager for Easterling Motors in Brownsville and Harlingen before becoming an algebra teacher with the Harlingen CISD for 23 years, retiring in 1989. He treated his students as if they were his own and wanted to instill in them his love for learning and mathematics. He always said ``the more the merrier'', especially when gathering with family and friends at his Arroyo cabin.
He became an avid golfer and coached the high school golf team for several years. Three of his children played on his team. He truly enjoyed his golfing buddies. His favorite moments were often spent at his cabin at Arroyo City where his family and friends would gather to fish off the pier, pull skiers behind the boat, and swim in the Arroyo.
The Yates and neighbors' Fourth of July party was an annual event. Tom and Gene just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. The Yates are a founding family of St. Anthony's Parrish. While overseas he sent money for the building of St. Anthony School.
A special thanks to Dr. Claudia Vasquez, Dr. Todd Shenkenberg, Dr. Hugo Blake, and the staff of Valley Baptist Home Healthcare.
He is survived by his wife, Gene C. Yates; children, Kelly (Jim) Trolinger, Michael (LeNann), Matthew (Laura), Loretta (Bruce) Winsper, Mark (Nancy), Gregory (Dana); grandchildren, Shannon and Sarah Trolinger, Bryan, Kendra, Dane, Tommy, and Carter Yates, Alec, Katy, and Alanna Winsper and Cameron (Julie) Anderson; one great grandson, Cameron Anderson; his sister, Betty Easterling; and sister-in-law, Pat M. Yates.
He was preceded in death by his father Harry D. Yates, mother Louise Hays Yates, brother C. David Yates and sister, Mary Maxine.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church at 2 p.m. with burial to follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Dane Yates, Cameron Anderson, John Yates, Howard Yates, Bryan Yates, Ronnie Easterling, Robert Easterling and Gary Easterling.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Saint Anthony Catholic Memorial Fund, 1015 E Harrison Harlingen, TX 78550 or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
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