Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Ricky P. Yates, U.S. Army (Retired), age 63 of The Fairview Community, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Ricky was a beloved husband, inspiring father and cherished PawPaw, United States Army Command Sergeant Major (retired) Ricky P. Yates joined the ranks of those gone before him.
He was born on Dec. 15, 1959 in Chattanooga, TN. He enlisted on July 1, 1977 and served honorably until his retirement on July 31, 2012. Most notably, he served for over two decades in the GREAT 82nd Airborne Division. He is an 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Fame member and true American Hero who served in Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Prior to retirement, he served as the Command Sergeant Major for Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal for 5 years. While serving at the Arsenal, he met the love of his life and greatest joy, Teresa Holmes of Cullman, AL. His marriage to Teresa brought him immense happiness, and along with Teresa, he added to his incredible family, four amazing children, a doting mother, and a supportive community and the life he deserved. Ricky had the most colorful personality (as well as vocabulary), was larger than life, endlessly compassionate and would do anything for the people in his life.
He is survived by his wife – Teresa Yates; children – Kimberly Rulli (Steve), Heather Rabending (Silvio), William Frost (Audrey), Allison Frost, and Elijah Frost; grandchildren – Gavin Rulli, Noah Rulli, Ethan Rabending, Ayden Rabending, Cambria Smart-Frost, Lillian Frost, Melia Rulli, and Luca Rulli; siblings – Floyd Yates (Joyce), Jack Yates, Curtis Yates (Julie), and Paula Douglas (Ray); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Ricky is preceded in death by his granddaughter – Rori Skye; parents – Doffus T. and Clara A. (Bullard) Yates; and brother – Troy Yates.
Reverend Scott Haygood will Officiate the Funeral Service on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023 at 4 p.m. at Fairview Methodist Church, 1100 Wesley Ave N, Cullman, AL 35058. Interment will follow at Fairview Methodist Church Cemetery. Mr. Yates will Lie In State, at the church, Friday from 1 p.m. until Funeral time.
In Lieu of Flowers the family suggest donation be made to: Fairview Methodist Church or Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY, 10306, in honor of CSM (R) Ricky P Yates.
