Fred Parkis Yates, Jr.
STAUNTON, VA — Fred Parkis Yates Jr., 80, of 442 Mountain View Drive, Staunton, Virginia went home to meet his Maker on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007.
Fred was born Nov. 10, 1926, in Fort Blackmore, to the late Fred Parkis Yates and Stella Counts Yates. Fred's earliest days were spent on the family farm on top of Caney Ridge outside Clintwood with his seven brothers and sisters. At the age of 9, he contracted spinal meningitis. He was one of the few to survive the rages of this disease but his battle cost him his hearing.
Fred recounted to family and friends on numerous occasions that he remembers his father laying his hand upon him while he was suffering and praying for his healing. He said his father would dedicate his son to Him if He would be gracious enough to heal him. Soon after, Fred Jr. began to recover.
At the age of 10, Fred had to leave his dear family and farm and was enrolled at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton. He graduated from VSDB and went on to Gallaudet College, where he earned a bachelor's degree.
While at Gallaudet, he met the love of his life, Anna Belle McClung. They married in June 1951. Fred has spent the last 12 years of his life loving and caring for his ailing wife. All the while, he continued his advocacy for VSDB, its students and faculty.
Fred began his teaching career at South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind but soon found his way back to his beloved Alma Mater, VSDB, where he served as educator, coach and administrator.
Fred spent all his adult life giving encouragement and guidance to others. He was a man of wisdom and of appropriate, calculated action. He devoted his entire life as a leader and advocate for the disabled, and in particular, the deaf community. He loved his life, family, friends and associates. He was an avid golfer and volleyball player right up to the end. He never faced an obstacle he didn't find a way to overcome.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Victor and Jack Yates.
He is survived by his son, Ralph Alan Yates and his wife, Pam, of Centerville, GA.; daughters, Jo Belle Anthony and her husband, Dave, of Staunton, VA and April Stella Keegan and her husband, Ty, also of Staunton, VA; brothers and sisters, Henry Yates of Centerville, VA, Madge Sexton of Kingsport, TN., Clare Ellen Mullins of Indiana, Josephine Case of Rogersville, TN., and James Yates of High Point, NC; grandchildren, Fred Parkis Yates III of Los Angeles, CA., Michanne A. Yates of Savannah, GA., Matthew D. and Erin E. Altmeyer of Centerville, VA, Jessica Mae Baake of Hampton, VA and Joshua Philip Anthony and Lyndsey Ann and Kelsey May Keegan, all of Staunton, VA; and great-granddaughter, Camryn Grace Baake of Hampton, VA.
A memorial service was conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at Memorial Baptist Church, located at 224 Taylor St. in Staunton, with the Revs. Hollis Dodge and Temple D. Myers officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the R. Aumon Bass Scholarship Fund, c/o BB&T, 823 E. Main St., 15th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.
Friends and relatives are invited to view this obituary and share condolences and memories with the family online at www.hamrickfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Staunton Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.