Thomas Lee Yates.  Tom passed away surrounded by his family on April 7, 2006 at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence in Battle Creek.  He was a native of Dayton, TN and a resident of Battle Creek. His family moved to Battle Creek when he was two years old. He entered the U S Air Force shortly after graduating high school.  He had served as a Sergeant in the U S Air Force during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged from the 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing at Dyess Air Force Base on February 1, 1968.  When he returned from the service he attended Kellogg Community College for two years and then worked for a total of 28 years as a truck driver with the Senior Oil Company. He had previously worked at the Kellogg Co. in production and as a carpenter at the Battle Creek Veteran Administration Hospital. He was also a Golden Glove boxer. He was a member of the Elks lodge and enjoyed fishing and camping.  He married the former Sharon Lynn Palmer on April 29, 1983 in Battle Creek; they have been married for 23 years.  Survivors included his wife Sharon Lynn Yates; three sisters: Sarah (Bill) Hall, Phyllis (Jerry) Mainstone and Joby (Chuck) Glau; a brother-in-law Herbert Swafford; three cousins: Ray Iles, Bobbie Still and Terry Yates; two nieces: Sonja LeBrecque and Karla Bolcum; eight nephews: Lloyd Swafford; Chris & Chad Bordner; Rodney, Donnie & Ricky Pestun; Jerry Mainstone and Tony Glau; also his special adopted family Sandra, Marko, Genna, and Christina Riste, and their special grandchildren Ciera and Collin Riste.  Tom was preceded in death by two sisters, Clara Swafford and Shirely Bordner.

Information from Battle Creek Enquirer online on April 4, 2006.