Thomas Earl Yates

Mt Airy, NC – Thomas Earl Yates, 33, passed away in his sleep Saturday, January 21, 2017 at his home. He was born on Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina on January 6, 1984 to Terrie Strange and Dane Yates, attended Southwest High School in Jacksonville and made his career in the automotive repair and maintenance industry as a mechanic. On November 30, 2008, Thomas married Hastings Hill and the couple made their home in Sneads Ferry, NC and gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Keara Cathleen Yates. Later, in Mt. Airy, the Yates family welcomed a son, Keagan Earl Yates. Thomas was a devoted family man. On January 6, 2010, Thomas joined the 882nd ENG CO (VERT) in Mt. Airy, as a member of the NC Army National Guard. At the time of his death, he was a member of the 878th ENG CO (VERT) out of Kings Mountain, NC, and had attained the rank of SGT. Yates toured Afghanistan and Kuwait, where he was deployed with the 882nd ENG CO (VERT) out of Mocksville, NC. He was known to his battles as TIGGER. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Hastings Yates, daughter Keara Cathleen, and son Keagan Earl of the home, mother Terrie Strange (Robert), of Jacksonville, NC, father Dane Yates (Karen), of Sneads Ferry, NC, brothers Kevin Kovalik and Austin Yates, sister Brittany Smith, grandfather Sonny Yates (Hidare), uncle Charles Yates and many nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday January 27, 2017 at Grace Moravian Church, 1401 North Main Street, Mt. Airy, NC 27030. The Rev. Virginia H. Tobiassen will officiate. A visitation with the family will not be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Wounded Warriors and the Soldiers & Airmen Assistance Fund, Inc. SAAF-NC 7410 Chapel Hill Road Raleigh, NC 27607-5047. Online condolences may be left at www.moodyfuneralservices.com/obituary.

Memorial Service