Paul J Yates

Graveside funeral services for Mr. Paul J. Yates, 88, of Monterey, La. formerly of Vidalia will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 10:00 AM with Bro. Leon Zordan officiating. Under the direction of Young's Funeral Home of Vidalia. Mr. Yates was born June 13, 1920 in Augusta, KS and passed away Wednesday May 06, 2009 at Natchez Regional Medical Center Natchez. He was a resident of Monterey, a cattleman and farmer. Mr. Yates proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the United States Army. He and his two brothers, Franklin and Waldo, enlisted together two years before Pearl Harbor, and trained at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Paul trained in field artillery and reached the rank of Sargeant. He was accepted to OCS and reached the rank of 2nd Lt. and he trained artillery spotters for airplane warfare. As a member of the AmericaL Division, he was originally deployed to New Caladonia immediately after Pearl Harbor with the mission to keep Japanese from controlling Australia. After that threat passed, his division was the first one sent to Guadacanal to relieve the Marine division. After that, his division was sent to Vouganville. He participated in the Phillippean invasion with General Douglas McArthur. Paul's division's responsibility was to recapture Cuba. Once on Guadacanal, Paul's plane was about to run out of fuel. It was night. He was preceded in Death by: Wife's-Crystal Whorton Yates and Carnelia Smith Yates Father-Paul Kenneth Yates Mother-Ruth Marie Yates Brothers-Waldo and Franklin Yates Survivors include: Daughter-Donna Bettts and husband Chuck of Agelton, Tx. Son-David Yates and wife Ellen of Vidalia, La. Son-Danny Yates and wife Jan of Natchez, Miss. Granchildren-Brian Betts and Julia, Brent Betts, Dave Yates, Holly McDaniel and Shane, Doug Yates and Angela, and Taylor Yates Also surviving are 7 great grandchildren Sister-Cathrine Marie Watson of Boise, Idaho The Pallbearers will be Dave Yates, Doug Yates, Taylor Yates, Brian Betts, Brent Betts, and Shane McDaniel The family will receive friends at Young's Funeral Home, Vidalia, La. from 5 To 7:00 PM Thursday May 7, 2009. To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.youngsfh.com

Paul J Yates

June 13, 1920 - May 6, 2009