Robert Yates Obituary

Robert Lee Yates was buried in an avalanche while snowmobiling Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in the La Plata Mountains. He was 47.

Known as "Rob," he was born to Bob and Sherri Yates on Jan. 1, 1967, in Grants, N.M. The Yates family moved to Cortez in 1974, and Mr. Yates attended Lewis-Arriola Elementary and Cortez Junior High schools before graduating from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 1985.

In 1986, he enlisted in the Army and served three years as a Blackhawk helicopter crew chief with the 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles" at Fort Campbell, Ky. He was honorably discharged in January 1989.

After returning home, Mr. Yates went to work for the Williams Co. (Northwest Pipeline), where he worked for more than 22 years throughout Southwest Colorado. He was in operations and became area chief of construction in 2009.

In November 1991, he married Tonya Duran at Arriola Bible Church.

"We didn't know the impact that Rob had on our community," according to his family. "Through all of the activities and hobbies that he was involved in, he truly touched so many lives."

Mr. Yates was chairman of the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo for two years and served on the Executive Board for six years. He served on the Montezuma County Fair Board, was a 4-H leader and an active member of the Four Corners Trail Club.

He loved golfing, team roping, snowmobiling, four-wheeling and going to Lake Powell.

"Rob felt a civic responsibility for the Cortez area and was involved with so many activities," according to his family. "With each volunteer event, he created more friendships and relationships."

Every morning, he had coffee with his parents, and he had a close relationship with his brother, Ellis Yates, his family said.

"The love of his life and the one person he had the most fun with is his wife, Tonya," according to his family. "The stories, laughter and fun they had kept their love strong. For 25 years, they loved, raised (their son) Bradey and had plans for their future."

Mr. Yates was a born-again Christian, and although he didn't attend church regularly, he felt a responsibility for friends and family, always serving as the protector and always the guy who showed up to help, his family said.

"His sweet ways are what people were attracted to, and he had an infectious smile and laugh," according to his family. "He was a testimony as to how a Christian man should live and love."

Mr. Yates is survived by his wife, Tonya (Duran) Yates, of Cortez; son, Bradey Yates of Cortez; parents, Bob and Sherri (Lytle) Yates of Cortez; brother Ellis Yates of Cortez; maternal grandparents, Dan and Hazel Pennock of Cortez; paternal grandmother, Vivian Yates of Chino Valley, Ariz.; two nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members.

"We have yet to recover his body," his family said. "For this reason, we will not be holding a memorial service until we bring him home."