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David Yates Obituary
Greenville, SC
Captain David Ray Yates, 66, died March 9, 2016 at McCall Hospice House. A native of Greenville, SC, son of the late Charles Ray and Carol Irene Baldwin Yates, he was a retired Captain of the Parker District Fire Department and also worked at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Fire Department. In the early years, Mr. Yates volunteered with the Lake Cunningham Fire Department. Mr. Yates served in the Navy Reserves, was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters, a full time RV'er for the past twelve years and a member of Cornerstone Christian Church, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Surviving are his wife, Dolores Boling Yates; a daughter, Angie Hamill (Tom) of Chugiak, Alaska; and two brothers, Dale Yates of Turbeville, and Alan Yates of Perry.
A memorial service with firefighter honors will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at The Wood Mortuary, conducted by Pastor Jeremy Cox. Visitation will be held 12:30-1:45 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at The Wood Mortuary. Honorary escorts will be the Parker District Fire Department and the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Fire Department. Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Christian Church, 1411 Lantana Lane, Knoxville, Tennessee 37912. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Yates
March 27, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We will always remember his wit and quiet peace. I will continue to treasure the way I saw him take care of you at the Sunday ice cream socials at Raccoon Valley RV Park. Joy and Gene
Gail Dalferes Condrey
March 20, 2016
March 9, 2016
Dear Uncle David,
I thought we would have more time. I did not know the last time you carried me to the GSP airport would be the last. The last time I left your side was Feb 25, and I hoped it would not be the last I saw your mischievous grin, the twinkle in your eye, your mind racing like the Nascar you love.
I think of you and Aunt Dolores often. During thunderstorms. And fireworks. When I see red ants, or electric fences. Always when I hear "hey babe." And always when I hear a firetruck racing to a scene. And I know when I do see an engine rolling that someone in need will be aided by one of your fellow firefighters - a rare and special breed that runs into harm's way.
I will miss hearing you respond to Mama Dee calling Day-vid; miss trying to figure out what you are up to next.
Thank you for letting me hang out at your house during summer breaks, and later when my job brought me to Greenville for extended visits. Thank you for making me feel loved and special and safe. Thank you for your service to your community. And thank you for your unwavering love and care for my Aunt Dolores.
Until the time we meet again, may you rest in peace, Captain Dry. I love you.
Gail
March 19, 2016
Dee. Please know you are in our hearts and prayers. Enjoyed our Bingo nights at Suwannee River. While we were probably your newest friends; you and David captured our hearts. Wishing your entire family our condolences and biggest hugs ever. Love, Kathy, Artie, and Patch.
March 19, 2016
Dee Roger and I are so sorry for your loss of
your sweet husband. Roger said he was a very
dedicated firefighter.
Thinking of you.
Love always, Grace and Roger Padgett
Lisa Craft
March 18, 2016
Dee, Our family is so very sorry about the loss of David. David was about five years older than me, and being first cousins, he was one of the people that I remember knowing literally all of my life. My dad was his Uncle, and we lived in other states as I grew up. As a child, when my family came to Greenville to visit grandparents, I always looked forward to the cousins coming.
David seemed a bit quiet, but we enjoyed the stories he shared about the things he was doing. David was a very useful person and appeared to have been a help to many; friends and strangers.
I know he will be greatly missed by you, Dee.
Helen McGaha
March 18, 2016
David's loss is a big shock to us all. A big shock! I am so sorry. Dee, I wish I could see you and let you know how much I think of David and how sorry I am at his passing. He was a good man and he always took care of his mother which I appreciate and admire. I am his aunt, his mother's sister and dear friend. David gave me my nickname, "Chick", when he was three years old. We never knew where he came up with that but the name stuck and family members call me "Chick" even now. I send my love.
Linda Lindsey
March 18, 2016
All my childhood memories of visiting my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Greenville area are intertwined with memories of David. We are first cousins, three months apart in birth. As children, we played with my grandparents' calico cat, which he named "Poony-Moon", played hide-and-seek in large metal pipes stored near my grandparents' yard, and waved at passing train engineers to prompt them to blow their whistles for us (which they did!). Since I never lived in the Greenville area, I only saw David during summer vacations and, after 18, I rarely saw him as I lived in another state. I kept up with him through his mother, my aunt. David was a fine human being, a model person, and had a positive influence on many, many people. I give thanks for David's life and send condolences to his beloved Dee and to Angie and Tom.
March 18, 2016
All my childhood memories of time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Greenville area are intertwined with memories of David, my first cousin. We were three months apart at birth. I always lived in other states and my family visited Greenville family every summer. I have lots of happy memories of playing with David at our grandparents' house, with the calico cat he named "Poony-Moon", playing hide-and-seek in large pipes stored near my grandparents' yard, waving at passing train engineers to prompt them to blow the train whistle for us (which they did!), and so much more. Since I never lived in Greenville and made my life as an adult in another state, I rarely saw David after age 18 except at family funerals. I kept up with him through his mother, my aunt, and through these many years my affection and love for him have never faded. He was a fine human being, a model person, and his loss will be felt by so many. I send condolences to Dee and Angie and Tom and all of us who loved David. God's blessings on us all and let us give thanks for David's life. Linda Lindsey
March 15, 2016
I'm sorry for your loss. You bought our house in Greenville, on Central Court many years ago. I've thought about you many times throughout the years. Betty Robinson
Tim Mckinney
March 14, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss mama D we all love you and pray that God be with you and your family compadre Captain Tim Mckinney
March 12, 2016
Our most heart felt condolences to the Yates family here and in Alaska..I learned a lot from this great firefighter through the years that I worked for him..he will be greatly missed..may God bless him and his family....Capt.C.M.Rich
Brant Hart
March 12, 2016
David and I took swimming lessons together at Chick Springs Lake. A few years later, he and I were in Boy Scouts together in Troop 107 which met in a log cabin on Bridge Rd across the street from my house. He had just earned enough merit badges to become an Eagle Scout when our family moved to Charlotte in July, 1964. I will always have fond memories of him, his daddy and my days in Troop 107.
Rick and Deanie Oldfield
March 11, 2016
Our sincere sympathy to Dee and her family. Always enjoyed our visits in OH and TN. David will be missed very much.
Lugene Bearden
March 11, 2016
Always loved to see David be such an amazing example of how a husband should love his wife and have that genuine light of Jesus shine through his smile. You will surely be missed, Lugene Bearden
Don & Kim Holbrook
March 11, 2016
We are so sorry to hear about David. He was always a good friend and co-worker.
March 11, 2016
Our Prayers shall ever be with you and family members. Glad I got to see him a few days before
his death.
Lots of memories of the years we shared at Parker
Fire Department.
Capt. Don Rholetter and Nancy
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