Roy J. Yates
Roy J. Yates passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2019, in Holdenville, Oklahoma at the age of 83.
Roy was born December 21, 1935 near Atoka, Oklahoma to Roy Lee Yates and Myrtle Stewart Yates. He attended Oklahoma public school. Roy married Joyce Ann Griggs in Hughes County, Oklahoma.
Roy served his country for 8 years in the U.S. Navy 1954-1962 and was assigned on the USS Toledo. He was a truck driver for 35 years and worked for Joe Brown, Western Commercial, Toby Trucking and Wilson Farms. Roy was a member of American Legion Post 32 in Holdenville and lifetime member of DAV in Shawnee. He was presented the Quilt of Valor by Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Roy is preceded in death of his parents; son Mark Yates; brothers Chester Lee Yates, Richard Gene Yates, Bill Akins, Harold Yates, and Waymon Yates; and sister Lillie Collard.
He is survived by his wife Joyce Yates of the home; daughter Renee Snider and husband Gary of Rawlins, Wyoming; granddaughter Tiffany Johnson and husband Mark of Rawlins, Wyoming; grandsons David Yates and wife Jessica of Holdenville, Andrew Yates of Holdenville, Matthew Kirkland of Rawlins, Wyoming, and Jason Kirkland of Rawlins, Wyoming; great grandchildren Landen, Lainee, Laken, Chole, Brayden, Nolan, and JulieAnna; other family, Larry and Charlotte Haugland, Jerry and Brenda Griggs, Paul and Diane Griggs, Sharon Yates, and Karen Smith; special friends Joyce Ledbetter, Melba Cook, and Elmer Byars. Roy is survived by numerous other relatives and friends.
Funeral service was 10:30 am Friday, October 11th , at Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Holdenville with Ron Hunter officiating, assisted by Larry Haugland. Interment followed at Yeager Oakhill Cemetery, Yeager, Oklahoma.
Pallbearers were Jerry Griggs, Larry Haugland, Gary Snider, Jim Thetford, David Low, and Kyle Pipkin. Honorary pallbearers were Mike Goodson, Carl Griggs, John Gibbs, Charlie Atkinson and Eric Griggs.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be sent to Calvary Baptist Church Building Foundation.
Services were under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home Holden-ville, Oklahoma.