Gerald Michael Yates

Obituary of Gerald Yates After a long battle with cancer, Gerald Michael Yateswent to be with the Lord on December 22, 2014 in Sumterville, Florida at the age of 72. He leaves behind his wife, Judy Yates; his daughter, Ginger Christensen, husband Clinton and children Aaron, Hunter & Merrick; and his son, Darin Yates, wife Chanda, stepson Jacob and daughter Victoria. He was lovingly known as "Jerry" his whole life. Jerry was born on February 12, 1942 in Fellsmere, Florida, to father Elton Yates and mother Lenora Yates. He grew up in a small, loving family with one younger sister, Carmen, and his younger brother, Mike. In Fellsmere, Elton and Lenora owned and operated the Gulf Oil Gas Filling Station. Jerry had many fond memories growing up there and working at the station. He had a life-long love of cars - especially Corvettes. He met his love, Judy Ely, in first grade and they spent 51 years of marriage together! Jerry married Judy Ely on September 6, 1966. Shortly after their high school and college graduations, they moved to Naknek, Alaska, where Jerry & Judy had accepted positions as teachers in the local Alaskan fishing village. In Naknek, Jerry fished and hunted big game for two years loving Alaska's landscape. They relocated to Glacier View and Palmer, Alaska where they started their family and had two children, Ginger and Darin. In the rich Matanuska Valley they spent 30 years raising their kids, teaching school, and retiring in 1987. They moved back to Florida to spend their retirement for a few years. In 2005 they moved back to Alaska. Then Jerry & Judy spent most winter months in Wildwood, Florida. Jerry was a driven professional with a great love of teaching kids, especially seeing their eyes light up when they "got it". He enjoyed big game hunting, fishing, coaching basketball, studying history and the Bible, as well as watching his kids and grandkids grow up. Jerry had made many dear friends over the years through their teaching, in retirement, and in their church families.He was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in 1999-and survived- only to get it back in 2013. Jerry remained dedicated to his wife and in his will to fight his illness. He remained a brave, iron-willed man with a great sense of humor, even throughout his final months.Jerry was blessed with many special miracles in his year-and-half battle with cancer. Jerry is survived by his wife and children, as well as his cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents,Elton & Lenora Yates, his sister, Carmen Craiger, and his brother, Michael Yates. Jerry has requested to be cremated. His ashes will be interred at the family plot in Vero Beach, Florida in the Crestlawn Cemetery. He has requested not to have a funeral in light of his passing. Jerry will always be known as a kind, patient, loving, and devoted man with a great big heart.

Gerald Michael Yates

February 12, 1942 - December 22, 2014