James Arlo Yates

James Arlo Yates
June 24, 1928-September 20, 2016

How does one summarize a man who was larger than life? Certainly not by physical stature, as I personally towered over Grandpa and yet I will continue looking up to him with the rest of his family until we too have passed from this life.

He was the youngest of James and Leona Rose Yates' four children. Named after his dad, he didn't like to be called "Jim" or "Jimmy" and chose instead to go by his middle name, Arlo. The family moved from the small railroad town of Kelton, UT to Corrine, UT when he was a boy. Here he met his sweetheart of 67 years, Carol Mae Rader. She would remain his passion in life until the end.

Losing his father at the age of twelve created a special bond with his older brother, Jay, and his father-in-law, Chet Rader. Throughout his life he would speak fondly of each of them. Chet and Gwen Rader valued family above all else and passed these values onto Arlo and Carol. Arlo felt at home here and insisted his family visit his in-laws each Sunday, even after moving his young family to Roy. He loved their hunting heritage, their fun-loving nature, and their enthusiasm for the outdoors and later passed this lifestyle on to his own family. Chet mentored Arlo in being self-sufficient and resourceful. Arlo was bold and tenacious and there were very few tasks he ever hired out relating to mechanics or construction. I will forever appreciate the way he always gave himself an out when taking on a repair he hadn't performed before and where the solution wasn't obvious. He would say, "I don't know, Brandon. I'm not an [electrician, plumber, mechanic, etc.]" Without fail his perseverance would pay off (surprising only himself) and succeeding in his task he would clap his hands together and exclaim jokingly, "I'm so good it doesn't even matter!"

He would enlist and teach these skills to those who worked for him in the beverage business when repairing vending machines. He worked for 7-UP for many years as a service manager. He then went on to open and manage Dar Larsen's Pepsi distributorship in Logan before returning to Ogden to serve as Larsen Beverage's Sales Manager, where he would eventually retire. He enjoyed his years working for the Larsen family and they enjoyed the massive success that his commitment to customer loyalty brought to their company. During his tenure it became difficult to find a Coke on tap in Ogden area restaurants as most exclusively served Pepsi.

Arlo served five years in the U.S. Navy on a destroyer escort; three of these were in Korea during the war. Carol gave him two beautiful daughters, Vicki Ann (Leishman) and Becky (Logan), who were babies when he was called to war. After the war, she bore him two sons that would become his pride and joy, Brett Arlo Yates and Matt R. Yates.

Arlo was a true gentleman of few words. He was defined by his actions and had a clear understanding of his accountability and a positive attitude toward life. He was honest and he did what he said he was going to, when he said he would. He was generous with his time and was happy to help others. He took responsibility for himself and his family and prided himself on being a solid provider who kept himself out of debt. He had a positive attitude and we will miss hearing him whistle "Peeping Through the Knothole" as he went about his day. Up to the end, he loved to joke and tease people. Hours before slipping from consciousness a nurse said, "Arlo, I need to ask you a question." His response? "I might have an answer for you!"

Arlo was proud of the family legacy he created. He is survived by his wife Carol Mae Yates, his sister-in-law Audrene, his daughters Vicki (Alan) Leishman and Becky (Clayton) Logan, and his son Brett (Jody) Yates. He held a special bond with each of his grandchildren: Brandon (Stacie) Egan, Casi (Brandon) Parker, Erin (Ryan) VanTassell, Ashley (Ron) Johnson, Britanee (Darren) Garner, and Desi (Cory) Waters. He enjoyed when any of his 25 great-grandchildren visited and could name them all by name.

Arlo was preceded in death by his son Matt R Yates, his sister June Scothern Fuller, and his brothers Jay Yates and Glenn Yates.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, September 26, 2016 at 11am in the Brigham City Cemetery, 300 E 300 S Brigham City, UT. A gathering for family and friends to celebrate Arlo's life will be held Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 6-8pm at Myers Roy Mortuary, 5865 S 1900 W Roy, UT.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.myers-mortuary.com
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Roy
5865 South 1900 West
Roy, UT 84067
September 25, 2016
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CemeteryBrigham City Cemetery
325 South 300 East
Brigham City, Utah 84302
September 26, 2016
11:00 AM
Graveside ServicesBrigham City Cemetery
300 East 300 South
Brigham City, UT 84302
September 26, 2016
11:00 AM