Howard Lester Yates-born March 22nd, 1940 to Harvey and Ruby Yates. He is one of 9 children. He and Sharon Griffin Yates were married on February 27th, 1961. They were married for 51 years. They had 2 daughters, Valerie and Tina and one son, Mike. Their children gave them 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

They say a man's best friend is his dog. Dad took his little weiner dog, Sassy, with him almost everywhere. He would carry her through his daily trips at Rural King. He would take her to the Moose with him. Where ever dad was, you could find Sassy.

Daddy loved gardening. HIs daddy instilled that  hobby in  him at a very early age. He looked forward to spring every year to start his plowing and planting. He would plant by the signs of the moon. Every year it seemed his garden got bigger even tho the year before he would always say he wasnt going to plant as much the following season. He and mom would can lots of the vegetables but he always gave away at least 1/2 of his crops away. And he did not like anyone in his garden. That was his own special place.

Dad also loved cooking on the pit. He could cook up the best chicken and ribs with his own special dip recipe  After his throat surgery in 2004, he was no longer able to swallow anything larger than a pea but he continued to cook for our family gatherings. He would also volunteer at the Moose Lodge and help with their dinner fund raisers.

to be cont'd