Joseph A. Yates

JOSEPH ANTHONY YATES, SR., the fourth child of the late Buddy and Eula Fields Yates, was born April 18, 1922, in Eufaula, Oklahoma. The family moved to Gilbert, Arizona, then Mesa, Arizona, and finally settled in Phoenix, Arizona. Joseph and his four siblings, Alma and the late Vula, Jeremiah, and Emma, attended the Mesa Public Schools. Joseph was graduated from Mesa Union High School in Mesa, Arizona, as a participant in football, track, orchestra and the Citrus Follies. He departed this life peacefully and quietly at Good Samaritan Hospital on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Joseph was a long-time member of Forest Park Community Church. He supported his church with his time, talents, and resources, having served faithfully as a trustee and deacon. He lent his services whenever and wherever needed. His life served as a model for countless young men. He joined the army in 1942, serving in Europe with General Patton's Third and Sixth Tank Divisions. After his military service, he studied at Arizona State University, Prairie View A&M College, and Johnson C. Smith University, in Charlotte, North Carolina from which he received his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in health and physical education. While pursuing graduate studies at Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts, he was recruited by the Baltimore County Public School System to teach at the Banneker School in Catonsville, Maryland, where he taught grades K-12 for six years. He also taught and coached at Sollers Point, Catonsville, Parkville, and Franklin high schools before retiring in 1982. In fact, when he took over as head coach of football at the Parkville High School in August 1971, he became the first Black head football coach in the Baltimore County Public School System. His coaching specialties were basketball, track, and cross-country, but football was his love. As a coach, his main concern was the lessons students learned that would enable them to become outstanding citizens. He served as an example for students, never loosing his temper or ridiculing an unskilled player or becoming upset by the mistakes of the team. He used those opportunities to teach and re-teach. At the Banneker School, Joseph always found time to visit or walk past the mathematics /science teacher's room in search of fruit or candy, "to meddle," or to ask a question. After several years of courtship, the former Edmonia Townes (that same mathematics/ science teacher) became his wife on June 25, 1960. They spent six weeks driving across the country to Mexico and visiting relatives and friends before returning to Baltimore. Two precious children, Joseph Anthony Jr. and Patrice, completed the family circle. Each year since 1960, there has been at least one trip taken by Joseph and his family to a foreign country, an island, or a place of interest in the USA. Last year Joseph and his wife celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on the Queen Mary II, visited relatives in Arizona and Nevada, and attended the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Convention in Houston, Texas. Joseph has always reached out to help young people, family members, and non-family members to pursue an education. After retiring from the Baltimore County Public School System, he worked briefly in real estate and spent time volunteering at the Liberty Medical Center before it closed. His civic, social and fraternal affiliations included service as president of the Zeus Club, Inc., the Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., and the Baltimore Alumni Association of Johnson C. Smith University. He also found great pleasure in coaching the James Mosher Little League teams. He was a life member of the NAACP, a member of the Hillsdale Heights Neighborhood Association, and a member of the Ombudsman's Club of the NANBPWC, Inc. "Joe," as he was called by his family and friends, was devoted to his family and made special efforts to see his relatives in Arizona and Nevada at least yearly. He was a true and trusted friend to many people and enjoyed being of service to those who needed his help. Until his health began to fail, he did not mind doing the menial tasks for his church, organizations, and fraternity. His motto was, "Let me serve where there is a need, I don't need to be seen or praised, I just need to help." Joseph's pre-med dreams were fulfilled by his son, Joseph A. Yates, Jr., who works in various medical technologies, and his daughter Patrice R. Yates Sappington, M.D. Additionally, he was proud of the accomplishments of his godchildren, family members, and friends. His love, caring, and sharing did not have any boundaries. A greater joy of his life was his grandchildren, who held a special place in his heart. They always brought a big smile and genuine laughter whenever they were in his presence. Joseph leaves a legacy of love and devotion to his wife, Edmonia Townes Yates; his son, Joseph A. Yates, Jr., and his daughter, Patrice R. Yates Sappington, M.D.; his sister, Alma Yates (2 sisters, Vula and Emma, and one brother, Jeremiah, preceded him in death); his son-in-law, Ronald Sappington, Jr.; three grandchildren, Joseph A. Yates, III, Gobria McDonald-Yates, and Laila S. Sappington; seven nephews, J.D. Harper, Joseph A. Yates, Marvin Ray Yates, Michael Yates, Terrence Yates, Clemon Bragg, and Rev. Buddy Yates; five nieces, Lothaire Parker, Jerretta Lothlen, Eula Faye Penison, Pamela Yates, and Michelle Yates; great-nephew, Rev. Dr. Charles R. Hemphill, who lived with the family for three and a half years while attending Morgan State University; and other family members including seven godchildren, Barbara Harding, Jacqueline Steele McCall, Joyce Mason, Barbara Mason, Thomas Mason, Jr., Alice J. Reynolds, and Tyrone Anderson.

Tributes

Joseph A. Yates

April 18, 1922 - January 21, 2006