Cecil Jerry Yates of Van Alstyne, Texas passed away on May 7, 2021 at the age of 81. He was born February 8, 1940 to Cecil George and Nettie Myril (Partin) Yates in his home in Athens, Texas. Cecil was a proud member of the US Navy Sea Bees division. He met and married the love of his life, Martha (Florio), on January 13, 1962 in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Cecil was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Van Alstyne, Texas. Cecil had a long and successful career as a plant manager at Amtrol in Plano, Texas, working there for 33 years and 3 months. Cecil was a devoted husband to his best friend and wife of 59 years, Martha, and he was a gentle giant to his three children. He held the title “Gampy” to his 6 grandchildren and could often be seen cheering them on from the sidelines.
Cecil loved spending time outdoors and could be found puttering around on the tractor, shooting snakes from the porch, fishing with his grandkids, and enjoying a quiet retirement with his wife. He was also pretty good at telling Dad jokes. He was stubborn to the core and regaled his family with his conservative views any opportunity he had. He would give you the shirt off of his back and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a secret love of all things Italian, be it cuisine, movies or music. He was blessed to have traveled all over Europe and was always proud to say he was from Texas.
Celebrating him and honoring his fighting spirit are his wife, Martha Yates of Van Alstyne, Texas; daughter, Dee Greve and husband, Kevin of Van Alstyne, Texas; son, Jerry Yates and wife, Karen of Ladonia, Texas; daughter, Jolea Broome and husband, David of Allen, Texas; grandchildren, Rachel Greve, Kyle Greve, Scott Diehl, Dominic Broome, Jillian Broome, Deacon (little Gampy) Broome; sister, Paulette Taylor and husband Randall of Huffman, Texas; brother, James Yates and wife, Carolyn of Crosby, Texas; and brother, Richard Yates of Houston, Texas; and a host of extended relatives. Cecil is reunited in heaven with his parents and a multitude of pets that he pretended not to love.
The family would like to thank the ICU nurses at Medical City McKinney for their wonderful care of Cecil during his prolonged stay there. Their tenderness and attention will forever be remembered and is very much appreciated.
A “come and go” visitation will be held on Thursday, May 13 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. A mass of Christian burial service will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church in Allen, with graveside service immediately following at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas.