Bobby Ray Yates, 82 passed away in Lake Havasu City on June 29. He was born in Lincoln, Arkansas, to Roy and Beulah Yates on November 1, 1933. He attended Lincoln High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. where he was an MP stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. In 1956 he met Shirley Brown, the love his life, and they married in January 1957 in Whittier. They had 2 sons. He became a Firefighter/Engineer for the Whittier Fire Dept. He retired from the department and held a variety of other jobs before he and Shirley moved to Lake Havasu City to permanently retire in 1989. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Beulah Yates. He will be remembered for his love of sports, horseracing and blackjack. Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Shirley; brother Donald Yates (Sue); sister Betty Browers; and sons Mark Yates(Ginger) and Steven Yates (Tammy). Four grandchildren, Kristina Yates, Wendy Yates, Mason Yates and Molly Yates; and three great-grandchildren, Kiarra, Bryce and Kylie Sampson. Graveside services will be held 9 a.m. Thursday July 8 at Havasu Memorial Gardens with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Hospice of Havasu. Cemetery Details Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens 1698 Deer Run Drive Lake Havasu CIty, AZ Loading map