Curtis Yates' Obituary
Curtis Yates was born March 7, 1934, in Red Star, AR, the son of Ellis and Edith (Clark) Yates. He died June 21, 2022, in Fayetteville. When he was six years old, his father died and his family moved to Elkins, where he grew up. He lived two years with his sister and brother-in-law, Mervin and Annie Embry, and their children Wayne and Sue where he graduated from Ballard, MO, High School in 1952. After spending 4 years in the Navy, he returned to Fayetteville, met and married Georgia Ann (Combs) Yates, January 26, 1957, who was the love of his life for 65 years.
His brothers and sisters who are deceased are: Owen and Lorene Yates of Fort Smith, AR; Kenneth Yates and first wife Mable and second wife Ardath, of Elkins, AR; Ruby (died as child); Annie and first husband Mervin Embry second husband Chet Van Cleave, all of Adrian, MO; H. J. and former wife Bernice Yates, of La Habra, CA; Loretta (Verne) and husband Jim Ramey of Fair Oaks, CA; Johnny and first wife Dorothy and second wife, Wilma Yates; Carl and wife Doris Ann (living) Yates, Fayetteville, AR. He is survived by his remaining sister, Lena Mae and husband Dannie Triplett (living) Prairie Grove, AR.
He is survived by his wife Georgia Ann Yates, and their children: Trella Marie Yates of Siloam Springs, AR; Terrence Robert Yates and wife Stacey of Searcy, AR; and Tracy Yates of Fayetteville, AR; and grandchildren Austin Yates of Chicago, IL, Alyse Yates of Fayetteville, AR, and Addison Yates and wife Katherine, of Plano, Texas.
Curtis is survived by a large family of Clarks, who, in the past, have gotten together every two years for a reunion; and lots of nieces and nephews on his Yates side of the family. Georgia Ann’s family was very dear to him. Surviving in this family are; W. J. Combs, Hubert Combs; and Alene and Lynn Turner; and several nieces and nephews from this side of the family who were like his own.
He worked locally with the Standard Register Company 40 years, and 2 years with same company in Middlebury, Vermont. After this, he worked full time for the University of Arkansas for ten years as coordinator of ushers and ticket takers for every athletic event. He held his ushers in high regard and since retiring has met for “Usher Breakfast” weekly as long as he could.
He served as president of the Jaycees while in Middlebury, VT; president of the Evening Lions in Fayetteville, AR, thru which he gave many hours of public service. He attained positions of management with the Standard Register Company. He was loyal to and gave his best to whatever he committed. He saw that family had what they needed, and along with wife Georgia Ann, extended his hand to others.
Curtis was a longtime member of (now) Mt. Comfort Church of Christ and loved all the friends he had there. Visitation will be 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Mount Comfort Church of Christ. Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Friday June 24, 2022 at Mount Comfort Church of Christ with burial in the Combs Cemetery at Combs, Arkansas under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville.
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