Reginald Lee Yates

Reginald Lee Yates has ascended to heaven. Born in Shawsville, VA to Garland Paul "Jack" Yates & Geneva Barnett Yates. Shortly after graduating from Shawsville High school, Lee joined the Navy and spent the next 4 years traveling the world on an aircraft carrier in the Asian / Pacific theater. After serving his country and receiving an honorable discharge, he moved to Charlotte where he worked and attended college full time at UNCC. He also met & married first wife & lifelong friend, Joan Yates. From there he earned his law degree at the University of Louisville in Kentucky & returned to Charlotte to practice law from 1973 until his passing. In his free time, Lee loved fishing, carpentry, gardening and spending time with friends & family, cooking and enjoying (a cold one) at his weekend place. He loved NASCAR, football & basketball. Pro or college, he was a fan of both, but you could be sure he would be rooting for the Panthers, Hornets, Louisville Cardinals & anyone named Earnhardt. He was a man who always had a joke for you when you walked into the room or talked to him on the phone. He was loved respected deeply by his friends and will be remembered for his "Yates" quotes. When you asked him how he was doing, he would say "Not bad for an old country boy" and "A day without a lawsuit, is like a day without sunshine". Lee was preceded in death by his 2nd wife & soulmate Linda "L.J." Measmer Yates, his parents Jack & Geneva Yates and his brother, Paul Yates.He is survived by his son Patrick Yates & wife Dawn, stepchildren, Scott Measmer & fiance Caren Bates, Mikki Measmer Ayers & husband David, granddaughters Julie Ann & Samantha, sister Betty Yates Basham, nieces & nephews. As well as his granddogs Stretch & Mini (Shorty) Yates and grand horse Dakota. Our family would like to thank his many loyal friends who he cherished deeply. You were not just his friends, you became family. Our special thanks & deepest gratitude also go to his amazing friends & loyal staff, Vickie Carelock & Patricia Fredericks, who we could not have gotten through the last several years without. We would also like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and everyone else that helped care for him. A celebration of Lee's life will be held in "The Historic Morehead Street Chapel" of Ellington Funeral Services, on Saturday, October 15th at 2pm. Visitation to immediately follow the service at the funeral home. In Lee's honor we request that people joining our celebration of his life, include his favorite color (red) in their attire. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Levine & Dickson Hospice House, 11900 Vanstory Drive, Huntersville NC 28078. Notes of encouragement and condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.ellingtonfuneralservices.com. Serving the Yates family is Ellington Funeral Services, "The Historic Morehead St. Chapel", 727 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28202. Family owned since 1944.