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Oscar “Price” Yates, 85, passed away Friday, Oct 27, 2017 at Avante Nursing Home in Concord after a long illness. He was born Aug. 21, 1932, to Willie Price Yates and Fannie Clampett Yates in Kannapolis. He grew up in the Centerview area of Kannapolis and was a 1951 graduate of J. W. Cannon High School. Price was a Veteran of the Korean War, serving in the 24th, 40th, and 7th Infantry Divisions from 1950-1953. After the Army, Price went to work at Cannon Mills in the Bleachery Department and worked there until 1991 where he retired as Third Shift Overseer.
In 1967, Price started learning how to play guitar and sing, along with Nancy, and from that point on, Music was a focal point in both of their lives. This passion was passed down to all three of their children – Karen, Carolyn, and Graden, as well as four of their grandchildren (Dustin, Alayna, Kenneth, and Keri).
He and Nancy moved to Davidson Landing on Lake Norman where they lived for many years, enjoying lots of great times on the lake fishing, swimming, and boating with their children, grandchildren, and friends in their early retirement. Price and Nancy moved back to Kannapolis in 1994 and supported each other in many activities including landscaping, pond building, and volunteer work.
Price was involved with the Cabarrus County Senior Center for 17 years and served as Master of Ceremonies for the Wednesday night Jam Sessions until his declining health prevented him from doing so. He loved helping people and sharing his knowledge of many things/subjects.
Price will be greatly missed by friends and family. He is survived by three children, Karen Wiley of Albuquerque, NM, Carolyn Yates Benton (Jeff) of Kannapolis, and Graden Yates (Kennette) of Kannapolis; a brother, Wayne Yates of Salisbury; seven grandchildren, Jason Milam of Kannapolis, Dustin Smith of Valrico, FL; Kenneth Yates of Charlotte; Keri, Kameron, Noah of Kannapolis, and Alayna Wiley of Tucson, AZ; 5 great-grandchildren – Rhiley Scarbrough-Smith and Cade Smith of Valrico, FL; Haven and Amiah Smith of Ft Wayne, IN; and Serenity Milam of Kannapolis; 2 special nieces – Joyce McCool and Joan Honeycutt of Kannapolis; and his companion of the last 7 years – Evelene Woodard of Kannapolis.
Visitation and Service: Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 1st, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Living Waters Church of God, 166 N. Little Texas Road in Kannapolis, with service conducted by Wade Eason immediately following visitation at 4:00 PM.
Memorials: Memorials may be given to Sandhills Teen and Adult Challenge, 807 Lakeview St., Kannapolis, NC 28083.
Carolina Cremation of Salisbury is serving the Yates family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Mary Godwin & Charlie Moose says
Price was one of the first people that we knew at the Cabarrus Center Jam and it is with great sadness that we hear this news. He will be greatly missed by many people as everyone loved Price. We loved to hear him sing and he was a joy to talk to. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Winfred Bryant says
Price was my friend since we were 12 years old, meeting at the YMCA, at the YMCA camp in the summers, and skating at Glass Roller Rink, and going through school together and graduating together with the J.W. Cannon High School class of ’51.We also enjoyed playing music together over the years, as well as riding motorcycles, and he was a wonderful neighbor for many years. It was so good to have him be able to come to our 66th class reunion on Sept. 2nd of this year. May God grant you everlasting peace my friend, now free at last.
Morgan Well & Pump, INC says
Prayers and Thoughts are with the family at this time of loss. Price was a long time customer of our company.
It was always a pleasure to get a call from him, he will be missed. Mike Morgan, the company owner also rememebers the many times seeing Price at the Mayflower. God Bless to all of the family.
Avis Rumple says
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Yates right before his passing. What a sweet & lovely man. I will remember our conversation always with a smile. I will keep the Yates family in my thoughts & prayers…..