Rob Yates

ROB YATES Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Rob Yates will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. The Yates family invites everyone to share a meal and time of fellowship with them following the funeral service. Rob was born in Grants, N.M. January 1, 1967, to Bob & Sherri Yates. The family moved to Cortez in 1974 where he attended Lewis-Arriola Elementary School, Cortez Junior High School and graduated from MCHS in 1985. In 1986 Rob enlisted in the Army and served three years as a Blackhawk Helicopter Crew Chief with the 101 Airborne, Screaming Eagles, Fort Campbell, Ky. He was Honorably Discharged in January 1989. After returning home, Rob was employed by the Williams Companies (Northwest Pipeline) where he worked for over 22 years, having worked in operations and became Area Chief of Construction in 2009. Rob and Tonya were married at Arriola Bible Church in November 1991 and had their son, Bradey Rey, in January 1993. "Doin' What He Loved & Loving What He Did" On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, Rob went snowmobiling to Heaven when he was caught in an avalanche. Rob was brought home to his loving family and community on Sunday, June 8, 2014. We didn't know the impact that Rob had on those he came into contact with. Through all of the activities & hobbies that he was involved in, he truly touched so many lives. Rob was the chairman of the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo for two years and served on the Executive Board for six years. He served on the Montezuma County Fair Board, was a 4-H leader, and an active member of the Four Corners Trail Club. Rob felt a civic responsibility for the Cortez area and was involved with so many activities. With each volunteer event, he created more friendships and relationships. He loved golfing, team roping, snowmobiling, four wheeling, going to Lake Powell; Rob just clicked with each crowd. Rob was family!! He had an uncommon relationship with his brother, Ellis. The closeness they shared was admired by so many. Every morning he had coffee with his mom and dad and was constantly involved with and looking after Bradey, Lolly, Wyatt, and Zane. The love of his life and the one person he had the most fun with, is his wife Tonya. The stories, laughter and FUN they had kept their love strong!! For 25 years they loved, raised Bradey and had plans for their future. Rob was a born again Christian and although he didn't attend church regularly, he felt a responsibility for friends & family, always serving as the protector and always the guy that showed up to help. His sweet ways are what people were attracted to and he had an infectious smile and laugh. He was a true testimony as to how a Christian man should live and love. Rob leaves behind his wife, Tonya; his son, Bradey; his parents, Bob and Sherri (Lytle) Yates; his brother and family, Ellis and Angela (Cutting), Wyatt his father and mother-in-law, Vic & Traci (Douglas) Duran; his and brother-in-law and family, Vic & Candi (Chappell), Bailey, Caisey, Torey and Brinley Duran. Rob also leaves behind his maternal grandparents, Dan and Hazel Pennock; and his paternal grandmother, Vivian Yates; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Rob Yates to benefit Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo, c/o Four Corners Community Bank, Attn; Monica Dibsie, 77 W. Main Street, Cortez, Colo. 81321. At this time, the family would like to thank each and every one of the people involved in the search, who have sent texts, emails, cards, flowers, food, all of the hugs, prayers and support we have received. The San Miguel County Search & Rescue and Sheriff Dennis Spruell, we appreciate all that you have done in the search for Rob. You cannot know how much it all means to us! To Jamie and everyone involved in getting the chili supper and fund raiser together for the search and recovery, "Thank you" is just not adequate enough. We love our community and feel so blessed to live in Cortez. Thank you all! Love the Yates & Duran families