Sammy Yates

Sammy Yates rode off into his final sunset Saturday, June 16th 2018 surrounded by his family and friends.Visitation will be from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at Gilbreath Funeral Home in Stanton, Texas. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.Born January 2, 1936 in Big Spring, Texas, he was given the name Preston Gail. However, he was known as “Sammy” to his friends and was a beloved “Pop” to countless young souls.He graduated from Stanton High School and married Nancy Marie Glaze of Tarzan on June 4, 1955. They have 3 children, Jody, Tana and Judith.If you knew Sammy, you knew he loved Nancy with his entire being. Together they built an incredibly close and God-seeking family they considered their biggest treasure and greatest accomplishment.He is survived by wife Nancy (Glaze) Yates, son Jody and wife DeAnn, daughter Tana May and husband Bill, daughter Judith Pinkerton and husband Wayne, all of Tarzan. Grandchildren, Katie Jo & Rusty Day of Meadow, Samantha & Brandon Borgstedt of Tarzan, Ky May of Tarzan, Trent May of San Antonio, Lynsey & Colton Pardue of Tarzan, Brody & Ashley Pinkerton of Midland, Bryley Pinkerton of Tarzan, 7 great-grandchildren, sisters Hazel Martin of Peoria, Illinois and Peggy Latty of Flomaton, Alabama and a host of nieces and nephews.In his heavenly home he is being reunited with parents Pal & Sudie Yates, brother Marshall Yates; mother & father-in-law Jack & Joe Glaze; brothers-in-law Lee Lawdermilk, Billy Joe Latty, and Donald Nichols; sister-in-law Janice (Glaze) Penn and great-granddaughter Sierra May.Sammy LIVED every single day. He was a cowman, cotton farmer, and member of the Tarzan Church of Christ. Among his community service, that went unannounced, Sammy was also a 4-H leader for Martin County and the entire State of Texas, a member of the Martin County Sherriff’s Posse, Wagon Boss for the West Texas Boys Ranch, a proud member of the Grady School Board and Caprock Electric Board.Pop adored watching his grandkids play ball and traveled countless miles supporting them in whatever events they participated. He gave them each a nickname when they were little and called them by it even as adults. “Ain’t that right, Pee Leg?” His favorite traditions were taking his granddaughters shopping for Gramma and cooking guiso for his family every Christmas. Sammy loved to hunt & fish and was a pioneer in the club calf industry, and he sure wasn’t afraid to share his knowledge with anyone. He passed down his passion for outdoors to his grandchildren, teaching them how to handle a gun and respect all of God’s creations.There was nothing he couldn’t do and certainly nothing he wouldn’t do for friends and family. Sammy never met a stranger and always had room for new friends; it’s hard to fathom how God could fit such a huge heart into such a small man.Sammy wasn’t much on flowers but he loved kids, so if you would like to honor him please do so by making a donation to West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo TX, 76904 or Buckner Children & Family Services, 129 Brentwood Avenue, Lubbock TX, 79416.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,