Doug Yates

Douglas Craig Yates was born on May 25, 1949 in Havre, Montana.

He graduated from Have High School and later

attended the University of Montana, majoring in philosophy.

Loving the outdoors, Doug spent his working life in the

construction trades, including as a brick mason.  Before moving

to and later retiring in Shelby, he lived in Great Falls and several

other communities in north central Montana.

From childhood years, Doug was a free spirit.  He was respectful

of others and their choices, while following his own paths, in his

own time, at his own pace and in his own ways. As one example,

in his late teens and early 20’s he hopped on freight trains to travel

to different parts of the U.S.  He worked hard and played hard.

Anyone even casually acquainted with Doug could sense his core

intelligence, sensitivity, decency, selflessness and that he was a

private person of significant depth.

Doug was typically a non-complainer and someone genuinely happy

for the good fortune of others.  Despite his having an appreciation

for finer material things and for neatness and order, he dominantly

did not seek or maintain them for himself.

Until more recent years when vision and health issues prevented his

doing so, Doug especially enjoyed reading, doing cross word puzzles,

golfing, camping, and fishing.  He could converse with reliable

information on a wide array of topics.  He held some strong points of

view, but could willing listen to ones differing from his own.

Doug was preceded in death by his beloved family members: parents,

Margaret and Phil Yates, maternal grandmother, Bertha Teel-Hansen,

paternal grandmother, Martina Yates-Gjerde, several aunts and uncles,

and three cousins.  He is survived by his sole sibling, Phil Patrick Yates

(Linda), one aunt, Adeline Yates, and cousins, including Jane Wiger and

Alan Teel.  He was grateful for all those who gave him their devotion,

friendship, and support, including, in Shelby, Luana and Tracy, Ron and Karen,

and Amy, whose son, Frankie, Doug loved as if he were his own.

In his home on the morning of Monday, 6/26/2017, Doug died from a

sudden massive stroke. Just the night before he had received delivery of a pizza.

An informal gathering to honor his life will be held in Shelby in the near future--

date, time, and location to be announced.  Memorial donations may be made to

organization/charity of choice.

You were a special, unique, one of a kind original, Doug.  Our sad temporary farewell.