Eli J. Yates

On February 4, 2011 surrounded by his family, our beloved husband, father, and friend lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. He is in heaven with our Lord, having a big family reunion. Eli was born on February 25, 1932 to Jack and Alma Yates in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was the youngest of five. When he was a youngster the family moved to the bay area in California.

He served in the Navy during the Korean War, when he got out he moved to Washington State, a place he loved. He married Helen Huber, they divorced, but not before having three children, Kim, John and Jeff.

One day, Eli noticed new neighbors moving in across the street. In particular a lovely lady named Joene Wood, in her; he found the love of his life. They married on May 15, 1971 and soon the family grew with the addition of Eli (JR) and Crystal. Above all things Eli loved and cared for his family. Most everything he did was around family, camping, hunting and fishing trips, and even a gold digging excursion to Alaska. Eli loved to tinker and seemed to always be helping someone keep a rig on the road.

Eli worked as an auto mechanic, and later as a millwright at the Reserve Fleet in Olympia, Niagara Wire and finally Weyerhaeuser Box plant where he retired.

Eli is survived by his loving wife of nearly 40 years Joene, children Kim (Chris) Piotrowski, John, Jeff, Eli (Heidi) and Crystal Yates and his grandchildren; Jessica Thurber, Zack (Samantha) Thurber, Bonnie Jo, Danny Yates, Jeffrey Yates, Chase, Kaylee, Destiny Young and great grandson Gauge Thurber. Eli also has one surviving sister Darlene (Tom) Sherry, and many nieces and nephews.

Ma summed it up when she said, "Thank you for loving me!"

There will be a celebration of life at 1:00 p.m. February 26th at the Thurston Co Posse Hall, 5949 Maytown Rd, Litterock WA. Donations to the American Diabetes Association in Eli Yates name would be lovely.