Harry Yates

Harry LaRue Yates aka Papa Rue

Braxton, MS

Harry LaRue Yates, 77, passed away on April 15, 2023, at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, MS.  A memorial service will be held at 11:30am with visitation starting at 10:00am at Meadow Grove Baptist Church in Brandon, MS on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Mr. Yates was born in Jefferson Davis County on August 12, 1945. He attended Prentiss High School and then went to HVAC school at Jones Jr College and then Federal Certified AC School. He trained in Wisconsin for Trane 60 ton units and then Johnson Cybertronic Controls. He also was trained in Refrigeration Transition & Recovery as well as Trane Chiller Controls. He married the love of his life, Ava Marilyn Abel Yates, at Southside Assembly of God where they were members and he served as a Royal Ranger Leader for the youth. They moved to Pearl in the 1970s and raised their children in Pearl. Mr. Yates gave his life to Jesus Christ at a young age and taught his children to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind. He took his family to church, and we are so thankful for the lessons we learned about Jesus. He loved America and made sure that his children registered to vote when they turned 18 and always called to remind them to vote. He went on a mission trip to Mexico with a team from Crossgates Baptist Church where he was a member. After he & his wife moved to Braxton, he attended a little country church, Walker Hill, where he was active in Sunday School and helped out when needed. He was a Mason and an Eastern Star. He went to the John P. Byrd Masonic Lodge in Pearl. Mr. Yates was an HVAC Technician and Electrician.  He worked for Controlled Air for 10 years and then for McRae’s/Profits/Saks for 40 years. He was a HAM Radio Operator for over 30 years and a member of Jackson Amateur Radio Club (JARC) and Central MS Amateur Radio Club (CMSARA). His call sign was W5RUE. He looked forward to HAM FEST every year where he served and helped. Mr. Yates was a soccer coach in Pearl during the 1990s. He also helped build houses with Habitat for Humanity in Jackson. He could fix any issue or problem and was a devoted husband/father/family man.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the building fund at Crossgates Baptist Church, Walker Hill or Meadow Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Ava Marilyn Abel Yates; children, Charles Yates, David Yates (Patricia), Michael Yates, Rusty Yates (Brandy), and Melissa “Kitty” Yates Dearman; 2 sisters, Hilda Yates Hesler (Sam) and Hazel Yates Akers (Herb); 1 brother, Gerald “Jerry” Yates (Lynn); 5 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild; sister-in-law, Gerry Yates. He also leaves behind his Golden Retriever, Kip that he loved dearly.    He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob Yates and Lois Boleware Yates; son, Daniel "Dan" Yates; granddaughter, Bailey Grace Yates; and his son-in-law, Timothy "Tim" Dale Dearman; sisters, Irene Yates Thompson (David) and Doris Yates Stafford (Loren); brothers, Kenneth Yates and Joe Keith Yates.