Robert L. Yates, Sr. passed away on April 10, 2017 at his home surrounded by loved ones.   He was born east of Fairlie on October 3, 1931 to parents Jessie Ben Yates and Irene Bellamy Yates.   Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12 at Commerce Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 13 at Cross Trails Cowboy Church in Fairlie at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Oliver Mowat officiating.  Interment will follow at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce.

Robert graduated from Commerce High School in 1948, and went on to serve in the United States Marine Corp from 1951 to 1954.

While working on the Turner Hereford Ranch in Oklahoma he met Alma Stratton and later married her on August 11, 1956.  During his varied career, he built and delivered industrial trailers for Stoner Toter Trailers, operated a Mobil station on the corner of Park St. and Sycamore St. in Commerce, worked as a clerk for Stewart’s Hardware and later Commerce Hardware when it was located downtown.   He also retrieved and delivered new cars for new car dealers in the Commerce area.

Robert went to college later in life and became a law enforcement officer for Texas A&M University-Commerce, a job from which he retired.  He went on to become a Deputy Constable.

He loved the Rocky Mountains and made several trips during his lifetime.  He enjoyed deer and elk hunting and fishing (if the fish were biting!).

He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Alma Yates; sons Robert Yates Jr. and wife Sara of Commerce; Kenny Yates and wife Cathy of Warminster, PA;  sister Judy Russell of Winnsboro, TX; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.   Robert was preceded in death by his parents Jessie Ben Yates and Irene Bellamy Yates and sister, Annette Yates Sweat.

Pallbearers for Robert will be Doc Pierce, Jason Bone, Gary Nichols, Jason Cunnington, Bryan Luckett and Brandon Luckett.  Honorary pallbearers are the McDonald's Morning Coffee Crew.

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