Daniel "Dan" Yates

Daniel Yates, known to family and friends simply as Dan, was 88 years old. Born and raised in the Sardis

Community of Smith County, Mississippi, Dan also passed away at home in the same community where his

life began. He was the son of Alfred and Geneva Yates and the last surviving of their eight children. He is

believed to have been the longest-lived Yates man in the Boone Yates family line.

Dan proudly served in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from high school. His pride in being

a Marine never wavered, and he often said, "Once a Marine, always a Marine."

Following his military service, Dan became a member of the Boilermakers Union and spent much of his

working life traveling throughout the United States doing steel construction. He took tremendous pride in

his work, his work ethic, and the quality of what he built. During the early years, his family traveled with

him until their oldest child began school. Afterward, he made every effort to return home as often as

possible. Eventually, Dan gave up traveling construction work to be with his family, although no other

work ever fulfilled him quite like construction.

Dan was a lifelong member of Sardis Baptist Church, which he had attended since childhood. He was also a

lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Masonic Lodge at White Oak in

Smith County.

Never one to sit idle, Dan kept a vegetable garden, tended fruit trees, and raised laying hens. He even

allowed his older hens to enjoy retirement long after they had stopped laying eggs. His love for animals was

a lifelong passion. He enjoyed helping his neighbors, spending time with lifelong friends, and remaining

active in the community he loved.

Dan was strong-willed, opinionated, and had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved telling tall tales and

could keep an audience following along with his stories, usually with a joke somewhere along the way. He

had an extraordinary ability to survive accidents and health challenges that might have stopped most

people. In an automobile accident, he lost his left hand, severely damaged his left knee, and broke his neck.

After recovering, he returned to building tanks. He was later struck by a train, survived a crane boom

falling on his head, and underwent five-vessel heart bypass surgery. His daughter often joked that he was a

cat using up his nine lives and affectionately referred to him as a stubborn old goat.

In May, Dan suffered another serious fall, breaking eight ribs and collapsing a lung. Despite his remarkable

resilience throughout the years, his health declined following this accident. He passed away at home at the

age of 88.

Above all, Dan valued his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Jean Bolden

Yates, and two children, Dona Leigh Yates and Aubrey O’Odell Yates, both of whom died in infancy. He

will be laid to rest beside Jean.

He is survived by his children: 

• Angela Yates (Todd Warren)

• Nona Yates

• Daniel Yates, Jr. (Amy Phillips)

His three granddaughters:

• Kasidy Harper (Andrew)

• Kenady Yates

• Kendal Yates

Dan leaves behind a legacy of hard work, determination, devotion to family, service to his country, and

deep roots in the Sardis Community. He will be remembered for his strong will, his stories, his humor, his

love of animals, and his ability to keep going when life dealt him more than his share of hardships.

Once a Marine, always a Marine.