Eugene “Gene” Yates
MONTELLO - Eugene “Gene” Yates was born in Packwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 12, 1932, to Charles and June Yates. He passed away on November 14, 2024.
Gene was preceded in death by an infant sister, June Yates, who died within a week of her birth. His brother, Phillip Conrad Yates, who was killed in a car crash and died on June 9, 1956. His father, Charles Rufus Yates, died January 24, 1951, and his mother, June Ellen (Krinkey) Yates, died on December 23, 1987. His brother, Dale Lewis Yates, died in Clewiston, Florida, in July of 2005. His brother, Charles Wayne Yates, died in Bonita Springs, Florida, in 2010.
Gene grew up in Packwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Endeavor High School in 1949.
During his childhood, he helped in several family businesses, including the Yates Ice Company, and the Yates DX Service Station. He also worked at the Richland Canning Corporation in Friesland, Wisconsin.
Gene enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 2, 1950, and proudly served his country for 4 years. He had his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and was then assigned to Killeen Base in Killeen, Texas. While there, a friend introduced him to Clara Jane Lange at a church function in Temple, Texas. She became his wife on December 31, 1951, in Temple, Texas.
Shortly after their marriage, Gene was assigned to duty at Manzano Base near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their first child, Charles William “Billy” Yates was born on January 9, 1953, on the Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Upon discharge from the Air Force, in March of 1954, Gene and his family returned to Temple, Texas for a short time. In April of 1954 they moved to Houston, Texas where he was employed by the National Cash Register Company (later known as NCR). It was in Houston that his daughter, Phyllis Louise (Yates) Bradt, was born on June 20, 1956, and his son, Robert Eugene Yates, was born on March 28, 1958.
Gene worked for NCR until his early retirement in 1982. After his retirement from NCR, Gene enjoyed being a grandfather to his two grandchildren, Tommy and Katie. It was during their childhood that Gene rediscovered his love of photography and he spent many hours taking long rides in the country photographing old barns, sunsets, and beautiful fields of wildflowers.
He also captured much of his grandchildren’s lives during this time, and they have albums full of pictures to remind them of all the good times they had with their grandfather.
Gene was a very positive influence in his grandchildren’s lives, teaching them skills that have lasted a lifetime. He would often use pieces of leftover lumber to make carts for them to attach to their tricycles, swings to hang in his pool room, or small “forts” to play in. He also spent hours teaching them the fine art of playing pool. He had a great imagination, a good work ethic, and a sense of fun and humor that often left everyone laughing.
Gene was divorced from his wife in 1982 and met a wonderful woman, Georgia M. Kluge in 1986. They spent many years together and were each other’s constant companions. In October of 1991, Gene and Georgia returned to Packwaukee, Wisconsin. Gene became active in local pool leagues and continued his hobby of photography, taking wonderful pictures of scenic sunsets, sunrises, and nature. He and Georgia often had Tommy and Katie visit them each summer and they have a lifetime of fond memories from those visits.
Gene was a charter member of the Packwaukee Historical Society and spent many hours and sometimes days driving to various leads, talking to many people throughout Marquette and Columbia Counties, learning as much information as he could about the history of Packwaukee and the surrounding areas.
Inurnment will be at Underhill Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Presbyterian Church in Packwaukee, Wisconsin at a time to be determined by Pastor Brenda Pulver. Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.
Gene was preceded in death by:
His son, Robert Eugene Yates, Istanbul, Turkey
His friend, Georgia Kluge, Portage, Wisconsin
His daughter, Phyllis Louise (Yates) Bradt, Houston, TexasGene is survived by:
Son, Charles William Yates and wife, Teresa, Charlotte, North Carolina
Son-In-Law, Leonard Thomas Bradt “Butch”, Houston, Texas
Grandson, Leonard Thomas Bradt, Jr. “Tom” and wife, Jenny, Tomball, Texas
Granddaughter, Kate Grace Page and husband, Jason, Brighton, Colorado
Grandson-in-law, James Balentine
Great granddaughters, Donna Gene Balentine and Rebecca Balentine
Great grandchildren, Elouise Faith Bradt and Luke Taylor Bradt
