Obituary of David R. Yates

David Robert Bobby Yates died peacefully on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. He was 78. Bobby was born in Watauga County and raised in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. After attending Cove Creek High School, he attended North Carolina State University, and then served honorably as a jet mechanic in the United States Air Force, stationed in Albany, Georgia. After his service in the Air Force, he worked in manufacturing in Apex, North Carolina for over ten year before returning to Valle Crucis in 1973. Bobby and his wife Hattie raised two sons in Valle Crucis. He helped form and served as Scoutmaster of Valle Crucis Boy Scout Troop 160 for over thirty years. He received the District Award of Merit numerous times, the District Distinguished Service Award, and was named Scoutmaster of the Year. He was an avid hiker, camper and fisherman. Bobby is survived by his wife, Hattie Wilson Yates; his son David W. Yates and wife Roberta; his grandchildren Samuel and Jillian Yates; his sister Nancy Yates Danner and husband Tommy; his niece Terry Michael and husband Mark; his niece Debbie Matheson and husband Dale, and several great nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his son Jerry E.Yates. The funeral and internment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Highway 194, Valle Crucis, NC. There will be a reception for friends and family at Skiles Hall, adjacent to the Church following the burial. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be mailed to The Jerry E. Yates Memorial Scholarship, SEWANEE, The University of the South, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, Tennessee, 37383-1000. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Yates family.