Robert "Bob" Aubrey Yates

Born on December 17, 1929 to the late Roy A. and Winifred G. Yates in Watseka, IL, he spent most of his formative years growing up in Paxton, IL, the small town he called his hometown.

He was graduated from Paxton High School (Class of 47) and Illinois Commercial College (1948). After briefly working in Chicago for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, Bob joined the United States Navy in November of 1950. He loved his Navy career and retired as Senior Chief in 1970 to care for his first wife, Harriet, who died from complications with diabetes in 1973. Together they adopted son Doug— Bob's pride and joy—in 1960 while stationed in Tampa with U.S. Strike Command (now Central) at McDill Air Force Base. In 1962, while stationed in Naples, Italy, with Joint Command, NATO, he traveled to Greece to adopt daughter, Donna, who preceded him in death in 2012.

Following his Navy career, Bob worked 20 years for Blue Cross of Florida. It was while working there he met and later married W. Odelle (Large) at Neptune Baptist Church and moved from Tampa to Jacksonville. Odelle, who was born on January 14, quickly became the love of his life and were inseparable until her death in 2018.

They loved serving their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As a member of Maranatha Baptist Church (2927 Leon Rd), "Brother Bob" served as a Trustee, Deacon, choir member and teacher of Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. Previously he and Odelle were members of Oak Harbor Baptist Church, Grace Bible Church (Bowden Rd) and Southside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville.

Other highlights of his life were volunteer service for American Red Cross beginning in 1992.

He and Odelle served the Homestead, FL, community following the devastation from Hurricane Andrew.

Survivors include son Doug (Patti); grandchildren Douglas, Jacob, Cami (Taylor), Nicholas Bradley; great-grandchildren Paisley, Elijah, Christian, Logan, Skylar and Delaney; great nephew William "B.J." Sohn and son-in-law Byron Holcombe (Shirley).

In addition to his aforementioned parents, wives and daughter, Bob was preceded in death by step-daughter, Debbie Holcombe, in 2009.

Visitation will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church on Leon Rd on Monday, January 20, beginning at 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held at noon following visitation. Burial will be Tuesday, January 21, at Jacksonville National Cemetery (4083 Lannie Rd) at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Bob requested and the family appreciates donations made to Maranatha Baptist Church and/or Gideons International Bible Ministry. Special gratitude is extended to APEX Home Health Services, Genuine Care Home Health, LLC, and Baptist Primary Care. Also acknowledgement and gratitude to the Mayo Clinic Emergency Room and Hospital medical teams and Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.