Norman Lee Yates, Jr.

Norman Lee Yates, Jr., 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 11, 2022. Born March 5, 1943, in LaGrange, Georgia to Norman Lee Yates, Sr., and Eunice Cofield Yates, he moved with his family to Warner Robins and graduated from Warner Robins High School. He was an active teenage boy and enjoyed playing basketball for Warner Robins High School. After high school, Mr. Yates attended The University of Georgia where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management. He was a lifelong Bulldog fan and many of his greatest memories were spent in Sanford Stadium watching or talking about his “Dawgs”.

Mr. Yates met his wife of 54 years at The University of Georgia. They were married on December 5, 1967, and had four children.

Mr. Yates made his home in Dublin, Georgia. He owned Yates Insurance and Real Estate, Inc. and Yates Foods. He served as President of Rotary, President of the Independent Insurance Agency of Georgia, President of Georgia Touchdown Club, President of Dublin Touchdown Club, President of Dublin Dugout Club, Georgia Department of Community Affairs Board, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Board, and Owner of SecureRisk Agency. He was an active member of Pine Forest United Methodist Church.

Mr. Yates loved his family and loved to travel with them. The family shares vivid memories of many wonderful trips experienced together. His passion was a good round of golf with his buddies. He enjoyed Broadway shows, music, wonderful office staff, close friends, and the Dublin Fighting Irish. His heart was his grandchildren. They lit up his face and you could find him sidelined at many of their events.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gail Yates of Dublin; son, Norman Lee Yates, III (Andrea) of Savannah, GA, son Dennis Todd Yates of Dublin, daughter Allison Yates Clark (Sean) of Dublin, and daughter Mandy Yates Smith (Jason) of Dublin. Grandchildren are Emersyn and Ford Yates of Savannah, GA, Ryland Yates, Greyson and Madelyn Gail Clark, and Amelia, Aubrey, and Adley Smith, all of Dublin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Lee and Eunice Yates, and his sister, Shirley Morris.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Northview Cemetery in Dublin, Georgia. Pallbearers are Sean Clark, Greyson Clark, Jason Smith, Ryland Yates, Tyler Franks, and Matt Mebane. Honorary Pallbearers are his beloved golfing buddies and church Sunday School class.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pine Forest UMC, 400 Woods Avenue, Dublin, Georgia, 31021.

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