John Austin "Trey" Yates III

John Austin "Trey" Yates III obituary, Rainelle, WV

John Austin "Trey" Yates III

John Yates Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Smathers Funeral Chapel Inc on Jun. 4, 2025.

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John Austin Yates III, affectionately known as "Trey" went to be with the Lord on June 1, 2025. Trey was born March 31, 1997. He left a legacy of love, light and an unyielding passion for life. Though his time was tragically short, Trey's impact was profound and enduring. Once you met Trey, you were hooked. He was genuine to a fault, could make you laugh constantly and was the kind of friend that we all aspire to be. As a 4-H member, Trey learned the importance of leadership and service; values he carried into both his personal and professional life. His commitment to bettering himself and uplifting those around him was evident in all he did. Although his life was brief, Trey's light shone brightly. He touched so many hearts with his warmth, generosity, and unwavering optimism.
A young entrepreneur with a vibrant spirit, Trey embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and determination. He embodied the 4-H Motto, "To Make the Best Better." That drive was always there, and as he grew, so did his love and appreciation for agriculture and the small farms that are so woven into the fabric of his beloved Mountain State. That passion grew with a fire in his belly, an idea in his head and the work ethic to make a dream a reality. Greenbrier Dairy grew from the dreams of a small child showing dairy cows to the bricks and mortar of a successful creamery. While the journey was difficult, it was the people Trey met along the way that both sustained him and his desire to march on. His willingness to help as many people as he could was contagious. The more you worked with Trey, the more you wanted to be a part of his vision.
Wise beyond his years with experience to match, Trey developed relationships in months that should have taken years. That was Trey. That was what he did. He would give you the shirt off his back, the last dollar in his wallet, or the last bottle of milk in the cooler. His love was contagious, his enthusiasm infectious and his generosity unending. Yet, his passion for farms, farmers, and their animals rose easily above all others. While Trey will never see his full vision become reality, he would never want to see you quit. Please help his family continue Trey's journey. You can do that by believing in rural America! Support local agriculture because it supports our community and our country. Spend every day aspiring to the principles that Trey embodied. More importantly, please "Pass It On" so his legacy lives on forever.
Trey is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents John Austin Yates Sr. and Jo Ann Yates; maternal grandparents Bobby and Mary Bragg.
Trey is survived by his father John Austin Yates, Jr. of Meadow Bridge and his mother Stephanie Dawn Yates of Rainelle; Aunt "B" Whitley Rose Legg (Dale) of Rainelle; uncles Jerry Yates (Kim) of Wardensville, Joey Yates (Crystal) of Fairlea; cousins Nancy Wilson (Cal), Ashley Yates, Emily Yates of Morgantown, Molly Rosenberger (Zach) of Capon Bridge, Tori Yates of Fairlea, and Hayden Yates of Fairlea, Addison Legg of Rainelle, and many more second cousins and numerous special friends including Courtney Mullins, Travis Fox, Ryan Church, and Craig Peters.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Legg Farm, 37 Smailes Road, Rainelle, West Virginia 25962 (please follow the signs). Visitation will be held from 11:00am-2:00pm with Pastor Ron Miller officiating the service at 2:00pm. Interment to follow at Wickline Cemetery with Travis Fox, Craig Peters, Lucas Stevens, Johnny Jones, Ryan Church, Jess Cooper, Conner Mullins, Zack Wingerd, and Tanner McNeely serving as pallbearers.
Come as you are! Dress in what makes you comfortable. Formality is not what Trey would have wanted; he would have been so happy with the people he loved being around him.
Even if you are unable to attend the funeral or viewing, please come to the farm afterwards for the celebration of our dear son's life.
Smathers Funeral Chapel is honored to have been entrusted to care for Trey and his family during their great time of need.
Online condolences are encouraged at www.smathersfuneralchapelinc.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Austin, please visit our floral store.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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