Obituary for Thomas Lamar Yates Jr.
Thomas L. Yates, Jr. (Tom), 69, passed away at his home in Fayetteville on April 20, 2021, after a long battle with cancer.
Tom was born in Opelika, AL, on September 21, 1951, to Thomas L. Yates, Sr. and Audrey Estes Yates. He joined the Army in 1969, rising to the rank of SSG. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (3), Parachute Badge, and the Army Commendation Medal. After 10 years, Tom was honorably discharged from service and then spent 20 successful years in sales, and then as an entrepreneur. Tom had a passion for rebuilding classic cars many of which can still be seen on the streets of Fayetteville. He was very competitive and loved playing golf on Saturday mornings with all of his “buddies.” Through all of his endeavors Tom never met a stranger and was blessed with many treasured friendships.
He is survived by his devoted wife; Diane, of 38 years who cared for him until the end with the help of Cape Fear Valley Hospice team, his children; Carrie Frost (Will), Shawnna Tartaglia (Eric), and Stephen Yates, all of Florida; his special step-children; Amie Hawks and Jeremy Hawks of Colorado; grandchildren; Dylan Yates, Eric Tartaglia, Jr., Sean Tartaglia, and Christopher Tartaglia; special step-grandchildren; Jeremy Hawks and Justin Hawks, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Tom was born in Opelika, AL, on September 21, 1951, to Thomas L. Yates, Sr. and Audrey Estes Yates. He joined the Army in 1969, rising to the rank of SSG. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (3), Parachute Badge, and the Army Commendation Medal. After 10 years, Tom was honorably discharged from service and then spent 20 successful years in sales, and then as an entrepreneur. Tom had a passion for rebuilding classic cars many of which can still be seen on the streets of Fayetteville. He was very competitive and loved playing golf on Saturday mornings with all of his “buddies.” Through all of his endeavors Tom never met a stranger and was blessed with many treasured friendships.
He is survived by his devoted wife; Diane, of 38 years who cared for him until the end with the help of Cape Fear Valley Hospice team, his children; Carrie Frost (Will), Shawnna Tartaglia (Eric), and Stephen Yates, all of Florida; his special step-children; Amie Hawks and Jeremy Hawks of Colorado; grandchildren; Dylan Yates, Eric Tartaglia, Jr., Sean Tartaglia, and Christopher Tartaglia; special step-grandchildren; Jeremy Hawks and Justin Hawks, and numerous nephews and nieces.