George E. Yates

George Edward Yates of Baytown was born March 4, 1916 in San Antonio, Texas to James Andrew and Nora Rose Yates and passed away on Friday July 3, 2015 at the age of 99 years. Around the age of eight George and his family moved to a farm near Winters, Texas where he spent the rest of his childhood and teenage years. George moved to Baytown in 1936 when he took a job with Humble Oil and Refining Co which would later become Exxon. He worked for the refinery for 35 years before his retirement in 1971. George married the love of his life Alta Juanita Mayhew on October 10, 1936. They began their life together in Baytown where they would raise their three boys, Lanny Charles, George Riley, and Tommy Edward ""Squeaky"". While working at Humble Oil during World War II George was part of a special team assigned to investigate ways to keep Spitfire airplanes from crashing. He helped develop a lubrication fluid that stopped fighter engines from overheating at high speeds which was a significant contribution to the war effort. George, or Papa as he became known to his grandchildren, was well known for his ""gift of gab,"" his unique ingenuity and his inquisitive nature. George was a strong proponent of education and always taught his family to take care of what they had and that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right. George was an honest hard worker all his life and emulated respect and thoughtfulness for family. George also had a strong love of football and was in attendance at the Robert E. Lee Ganders high school football games every year from 1936 through the 2014 football season (78 seasons). Additionally, George loved both fishing and golf and once shot a hole in one that he was very proud of!

George was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Alta Juanita Mayhew Yates; his oldest son, Lanny Charles Yates; and his brothers Frank Yates of Baytown and James Yates of Crosby. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, George Riley and Linda Yates of Fairview, TX; son and daughter-in-law Tommy Edward ""Squeaky"" and Carol Yates of Spring, TX; grandchildren Traci Yates Schluter and husband Richard, Marci Yates Moore and husband Edward ""Ned"", Deanna Yates, Susan Yates, and Dean Riley Yates and wife Marian; great-grandchildren Creighton, Reagan and Carleigh Schluter; Mary Kate and Emory Moore; Austin and Katie Yates.

The family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home on Saturday, July 11, 2015 from 9:15 to 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Navarre Funeral Home with the Rev. Randall Trego officiating. Burial will follow at San Jacinto Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers will be Harold ""Buddy"" Barber, Charles ""Corky"" Grube, Edward ""Ned"" Moore, Delton Perkins, Richard Schluter, and Dean Yates. Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Harris, Darwin Knox, and Leighton Littlefield.

The family would like to say a special ""thank you"" to George's wonderful caretaker Dorothy Johnson for her years of loving service.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, St. James House of Baytown, Texas Children's Hospital or the charity of one's choice.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.