Tommy Edward “Squeaky” Yates
Our beloved Tommy Edward "Squeaky" Yates (72) of Spring, Texas, born May 25, 1943 to George Edward and Alta Juanita Mayhew Yates, passed away surrounded by his loving family on October 31, 2015. A native of Baytown, Texas, Tommy graduated from Robert E. Lee HS. He proudly attended Wharton Junior College and graduated from Lamar University, both on football scholarships. While at Lamar, Tommy's football team won the Southland Conference Title, advancing to the Pecan Bowl in 1964, his senior year. Tommy met the love of his life, Carol Ross Haggart, at Lamar and they were married on December 29, 1965 spending close to 50 years together in wedded bliss. He was a wonderful and loving father to his two daughters, Traci and Marci. Tommy completed his Master of Education degree from Sam Houston State University in 1970. He lived his passion of teaching and coaching at the high school level for 31 years at Lee HS (HISD), Kingsville HS, Alief HS, MacArthur HS (Aldine ISD), Magnolia HS (Head Coach/Athletic Director), and Sterling HS (Goose Creek CISD). Tommy spent 4 summers in the late 1990's working in Saudi Arabia for Aramco Oil Co. as a driver's education instructor/recreational coordinator where he made many great memories with lifelong friends. Following his retirement, Tommy worked for Region 4 as a director of their driver's education program. Tommy also co-owned a catering company with his son-in-law, Richard, for 8 years. A strong and faithful Christian, Tommy was an active servant leader in his church serving on the Vestry at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church (Spring) and St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church (Houston) where he was appointed Junior and Senior Warden. Tommy was also an active participant in the Lord of the Streets (LOTS) ministry at Trinity Episcopal Church for 17 years. Tommy loved the Lord and expressed that love through his generosity and the selfless way in which he served and cared for others, especially his family and friends. Tommy was unbelievably proud of all five of his grandchildren and faithfully attended nearly every event in which they participated. Tommy is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Lanny Charles Yates. He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Carol, daughters and sons-in-law, Traci Diane and Richard Alan Schluter, Jr. of Spring, TX, and Marci Ross and Edward Lockwood "Ned" Moore, III of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Creighton, Reagan and Carleigh Schluter and Mary Kate and Emory Moore; and brother and sister-in-law George Riley and Linda Yates of Fairview, Texas. The family will receive friends at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, on Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Robert P. Price officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Harold "Buddy" Barber, Doug Cox, Ben Dyer, Rick Harris, Leighton Littlefield, and Delton Perkins. Honorary pallbearers include Tate Barber, Steve Garrett, Leon Holle, Andrew Hoyle, Bill Hutchinson, Darwin Knox, Lawrence O'Donnell, III, Randall O'Donnell, and Dean Yates. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, or Lord of the Streets (LOTS) Ministry.