Charles James Yates

Charles James Yates went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Northside Piedmont Hospital in Columbus, GA. He is now dancing!

A Graveside service will be held 11:30am, Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Pincecrest Memorial Gardens in Pelham, GA, according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Charles was born on April 1, 1939 (yes he liked to say he was an April Fool’s baby) to a young-unwed mother at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. Through the assistance of Dr. James C Brim, Charles was adopted and brought home to Pelham, GA by VL and Elizabeth (James) Yates to a house on the lot where Pelham Banking Company now sits. Charles liked to say he could be home when the first bell rang and still make it to his first class before the late bell. He was a 1958 graduate of Pelham High School excelling more on the athletic field and with the young ladies than in the classroom starring in football and track while also playing basketball and baseball. Charles was a pioneer in the southwest GA water ski scene and later added Johnson outboard motors and boats as part owner of Yates Motor Co in Pelham.

Charles served in the US Army and Reserve before marrying his high school sweetheart Marijane Glenn on April 15, 1962. They had 3 children Libby, Martha Jane and James and were married for 52 years when she succumbed to cancer. His hobbies included golf, hunting, scuba diving, making toys out of wood, active in the Rotary Club and extensive traveling including to Europe and to the Philippines and Kenya to visit MJ while she served as an IMB missionary. Loving his home town of Pelham, Charles served as City Councilman and Mayor. Charles later reconnected with another high school friend Betty (Beth) Odom. They were married in April 2016 and lived in Donalsonville where he endeared himself to her son Lance as well Anita and Keith. After losing Beth to cancer in July of 2023, Charlie relocated to Spring Harbor in Columbus, GA making new friends everywhere he went.

Charles is survived by his children, Libby Montgomery (Yancey) of Jacksonville, FL, Martha Jane (Mark) Grossmann of St Louis, MO and James (Regina) Yates of Columbus, GA. Known as Papa Charlie to his 8 grandchildren: Chelsea (Logan) Montgomery, Charlsie Montgomery, Janie (Ethan) Mozingo, Josiah (Courtney) Grossmann, James Grossmann, Jacob (Katherine) Yates, Rachael Yates and Riley Yates and 2 great grandchildren: Olivia Grossmann and PJ Grossmann.

In lieu of flowers please donate to American Cancer Society.