Thomas Leo “Rowdy” Yates

Thomas Leo “Rowdy” Yates, 76, of Cameron died Sunday, May 20, 2018, in a Cameron nursing facility. 

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 24, at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron with Rev. Dusty Smith officiating.  Burial will follow in the Marlow Cemetery near Cameron. 

Mr. Yates was born March 7, 1942, in Milam County to Tom and Lena (Pharris) Yates.  He became a Christian when he was 15 years old while attending Ben Arnold Baptist Church. He married Diane Whitaker on July 15, 1961.  He had worked for Alcoa Aluminum in Rockdale for 27-1/2 years in maintenance and the rod room. He was a member of Marlow Baptist Church at the time of his death. He loved gardening, fishing and doing things with his grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Travis & Angel Pelzel and by eight siblings: sisters, Beatrice Talafuse, Gertrude Hopper, Dorene Ulicnek, Pauline West, Lena Mae Santos, Pearl Mayer, Joan Goode and by brother, John Richard (JR) Yates; his parents; his in-laws, William and Gertrude Whitaker; and son-in-law, Glenn Pelzel. 

He is survived by: wife, Diane Yates of Cameron; daughters, Cynthia Mendehall and husband Ruben of Graham, Wash., and Bridget Pelzel of Cameron; brother, James Yates of Robinson; four grandchildren, Jessica Radtke, James Radtke, Frank (Joey) Pelzel and Thomas Wayne Pelzel; three great-grandchildren, Lauren, Ross, and Parker; and special friends, Charyl Wood & LaScott Skinner and Gene Satterfield.

Memorials may be made the Interim Hospice.

Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home of Cameron is in charge of arrangements.