WILMINGTON — Ronald Leo Yates, 83, passed away early Monday morning in Wilmington, NC, surrounded by family and friends.
Ron was born in 1942 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, to Leo and Josephine Yates, and grew up with his brother Bob Yates. After graduating from high school, he was interested in engineering and material science, and attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning a degree in Metallurgy. He later earned his MBA from the University of Miami.
Ron began his long career in aviation working for General Electric and then Eastern Airlines in Miami, FL. There he met his late wife Ann Overman Yates, a flight attendant at Delta Airlines. They were married in Wallace, NC, in 1970 and had two children. Their daughter, Mary Francis, was born in Miami in August 1976. They moved to Dallas, TX, in 1979, and in February of 1981, they welcomed their son Robert Becton. After a 4-year tenure as President of the Pacific Airmotive Corp in Burbank, California, Ron left to begin his own company. He founded The California Industrial Group in 1991, where he continued his work in aviation, retiring in the early 2000’s.
Ron lived life to the fullest; he traveled with his family often, sought out new friends and connections, and found joy in looking for the best restaurants wherever he was. Ron grew up stream fishing at the Nescopeck Creek in State Game Lands 187 in Pennsylvania. Later in life, he frequented the High Sierra streams of Bishop, CA, and the Davidson River in Western NC. His stream reading skills could rival any professional guide. After retirement, Ron became even more dedicated to his family, and almost equally as important, his morning coffee group at the local Starbucks. In the evenings, he spent time with his family and friends eating at local restaurants. One of his favorites was the Olympia in Wilmington, NC, where he always tried something new. If you have ever been, you probably saw him there with his wife Ann, entertaining family and friends. Ron was full of joy for his life and loved sharing his passions with others, so dinners with Ron were full of laughter and love, as he told stories of his travels around the world and the strange foods he ate.
A service to celebrate the life of Ron will be held on Tuesday, April 14th at 12:00 pm at the St. Therese Catholic Church in Wrightsville Beach, NC, with a graveside service to follow at the Wayne Memorial Park in Dudley, NC, followed by a reception and fellowship.
Ron is survived by his children: Rob Yates, (Anna) and Mary Francis Yates; his grandchildren Elizabeth and Catherine; nieces Betsy Mapes (Chris), and Jennifer Mitchell Dixon: nephew, Tripp Griffin (Karen); great-nephews, Philip Fontaine, VI (Sara), Evan Fontaine, Blade Griffin, Richard Griffin and Jonathan Mitchell; great-nieces Jacquelyn Shea, Micki Mitchell, Kamryn Mitchell, and Lillian Mitchell, great-great-nephews Philip A. Fontaine, VII and Elijah Massey. He was also preceded in death by his wife Ann Overman Yates, and nephew, Phillip Jonathan Mitchell.
