Daniel Gillespie Yates Sr.

Daniel Gillespie Yates, Sr., 86, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2014. Dan was born in Greensboro, NC, on December 15, 1927, the sixth child of Louise D. Colhoun and Charles Gillespie Yates, Sr. The Yates family goes back many generations to Charles Green Yates, one of the founders and first Mayor in 1857. He was also an Elder and very active in the First Presbyterian Church. Charles gave the church their first bell in 1875. It is still there today. Dan graduated Greensboro Senior High (now Grimsley) in 1945. He played football and the highlight of his four years was winning the conference championship. He enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific on the USS Rockbridge and the USS Fabius. They were involved in the testing of the first atomic bombs. Upon being discharged, he enrolled in Guilford College and graduated with the class of 1950. He began his business career as a salesman for General Foods. In 1952 his brother, Charles Gillespie Yates, Jr. suggested they go into business together establishing the Yates Wilbert Vault Company which is now owned by his two sons. During Dan's career, he became an officer in several related organizations. He was elected to the National Board of Directors of Wilbert, Inc. in Forest Park, IL and remained until his retirement in 1998. In 1953 Dan married Barbara J. Hovis in Greensboro. They had dated since 1951. Barbara's friend Betty Sue Alexander Grant arranged their first date. They were the fifth couple that Betty Sue had arranged the first date to which led to their marriages. In 1983 Dan and Barbara built their first cottage on a canal in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. It was ideal to have one's boat docked at the back door, so easy to run out to fish an hour or so. They still have their second house on a canal there but no longer make fishing trips unless with another captain at the helm. Dan and Barbara moved to Southminster Retirement Community in 2009. Dan is survived by his wife, Barbara H. Yates; his daughter Laura Y. Smith (J.P. III "Chip"); sons Daniel Gillespie Yates, Jr. and Robert B. Yates (Angela). He is survived by his grandchildren Kiristin "Kristy" McConnell (Robert "Rob"), Andrew Yates Smith, Zachary R. Yates (Ashley), Lauren Y. Wenger (Gregory J. "Greg") C. Landen Yates, Bryce C. Yates, Braedon L. Yates, as well as eleven nieces and nephews. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren Robert Hudson McConnell (Hudson), Tinley R. Yates, Gregory John Wenger, Jr. (Gregory), Taylor Grace Wenger (Taylor) and Patrick Wenger. Dan was preceded by all his siblings and in-laws. Charles G. Yates, Jr. (Les) of Charlotte, NC, Elizabeth "Bibby" Y. King (Walter), Margaret "Peggy" Brown (Roy) of Greensboro, NC. Nancy Y. McAmis (John "John Daddy") of Knoxville, TN, Jean Y. Fuquay (Richard "Dick") of Orange City, FL. He is also preceded by his daughter-in-law Nancy L. Yates, as well as his grandson, Matthew J. Smith (Matt), both of which died far too early, and his constant companion Bonnie Jean, a Corgi who stayed with him faithfully. A memorial service will be held at Southminster in the Great Room on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at 2:00pm. A private family committal service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park. The family would like to thank the caring staff on Ivy Lane including Lisa for the love and care they gave Dan. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Southminster Foundation, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 or the Wilbert Foundation, 2915 Gardner Road, Broadview, IL 60155 or Hospice & Palliative Care, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.