Homer Gerald "Jerry" Yates

Homer Gerald “Jerry” Yates, age 72, of Grants Pass, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 11, 2013 at OHSU in Portland, with his family by his side. He fought a courageous battle with esophageal cancer.

Jerry was born on August 4, 1940 in Port Acres, Texas, and grew up in Torrance, California.

While serving in the United States Navy he met and married his only love Dicy Faye Sherwood on November 12, 1960. They raised their family in La Mirada, California where he also was the owner of J & J Custom Floors. He moved his family to Grants Pass in 1975 and worked up until his illness as a floor covering contractor mostly out of Lipperts Carpets.

Jerry enjoyed eating breakfast at Herbs most mornings. He liked camping, playing cards and board games with his kids and grandkids, watching sports on TV, going to the horse races, but most of all he loved playing craps. He was looking forward to a trip to Vegas this summer.

Everywhere he went he met friends and he is loved and will be missed by so many.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dicy Faye Yates; his children, Cindy Brown of Moorpark, California, Gary Yates of Rogue River, Melissa Dodds and Jerry Yates Jr. both of Grants Pass. His eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren knew him as their papa.

The world has truly lost a remarkable man, but his final gift is giving sight to another with the donation of his eyes.

A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Allen Creek Neighborhood Church, 922 W. Harbeck Road in Grants Pass. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Donations can be made to the Michael J. Newton Esophageal Cancer fund OHSU Foundation, 1121 SW Salmon Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97205.