John Yates, Jr.

JOHN A. YATES JR, Son of the late John & Mary Yates Sr. was born July 3, 1957, in Baltimore MD.

He gained his wings on Monday, October 17th, 2022. He began his journey in life in Baltimore, MD., the third oldest of four siblings on Monastery Ave .and attended Baltimore City Public Schools. Upon entering High School he was excepted into Carver Vocational Technical High School, studying the trade of an ITT tech/electrician where he met his first love/High school sweetheart Cheryl whom he married and shares an only child with. After completing his education, he then served as a Shift Commander/ Telecommunications Officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1975 - 1981 before he was honorably discharged. At the end of his obligated service in the U.S. Marines, he served as a Corrections Sergeant at the MD. House of Corrections in Jessup MD from 1981 – 1998 and retired as a Lieutenant. In May 1995 he joined the brotherhood of Prince Hall Masons in the state of Maryland, and he pledged “Q” with Morgan State College. He then became an armed security officer at the SSA for 2 years before relocating to Charlotte NC, where he continued his career in security working for G4S Wackenhut and Allied where he officially retired. He has over 40 years of experience with supervisory, management, safety and security as well as loss prevention of property while preserving life.

John was always fashion-forward, very dapper in his character, and was precise in all that he did. He was a hardworking man who always took pride in his appearance, instilling in me at an early age that your appearance is your first/last impression that you imprint on people. He believed in hard work ethics, reputation, and most importantly family. He only had a daughter whom he loved and admired, then at the age of 35, he and his love Doll was blessed with his second angel, Tynesha LaTree on his birthday his eternal twin, the pure reflection of his soul. She is and always will be his baby girl.

In (2004) John met his new and final love Donna Cyrus (the Mayor's Assistant from Long Island New York), who later became his wife in 2006. They shared 14 years of marriage becoming Daddy-O as her beloved 5 children called him. He adored them all but Khadijah along with his granddaughter Savannah had a special piece of his heart in their hands. In 2009 to the present John was ordained Deacon for Bishop Charles  A. Lockett Sr. of Greater Life Changing Ministries and head of security (armed).

Whom has preceded him in death are his extraordinary wife/ Donna Cyrus-Yates, his beloved parents John & Mary Yates Sr, brother Richard Yates and his sister Rhonda Upsher all from Baltimore. He leaves to mourn his daughters Nakeysha (Brian) King and Tynesha Yates, 2 grandsons Brian L. King II and Teron King , 1 Great-grandson Brian L King III, sister Sheila (John) Crudup, 2 nieces Danita Scott and Adell Malone, 2 nephews Brandon & Troy Yates all from Baltimore MD, 2 great nephews Justin (Naomi) and Jaylen Lancaster of Chesapeake VA, 2 great nieces Jada Eades and Mulan Yates of Baltimore, cousins Derrick Yates and Rebecca Smith, Karl Crosby and family, 2 honorary sons Sean Cooper and mother Chandra Tolson, Carlos (Yates )Allen 3 honorary daughters Carla (Yates) Allen, Camille Marine and mother Jill Marine and Trinita Doughty, 1 honorary granddaughter De’Onjianay Dorm, 2 honorary grandsons Carlos & Liam Allen, 5 extraordinary beloved bonus children Anthony Cyrus grandson Nicholas & granddaughter McKenzie , Dominique Cyrus – Gordon (Derrick) granddaughter Jasmine Gordon, Jeffery Legree grandson Legend Legree, David Legree granddaughters London, Jordi and grandson Lil David, Khadijah Legree and his heartbeat granddaughter Savannah Legree. Ms. Vannessa Brother/best friend confidant and Nakeysha’s godfather Wayne Turner Godmother Margaret Harris Debra Yates, His  Lola, 27 cousins 11 aunts and uncles, and a host of many many friends from state to state.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am - 1:45 pm, Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Greater Life Changing Ministries. The funeral service will be on Saturday at 2:00 pm at Greater Life Changing Ministries in Concord with Military Honors, officiated by Bishop Lockett. The burial will take place Monday, October 31, 2022, at 2:00 pm,  at the Salisbury National Cemetery at 501 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury NC.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Yates family.