Ronald P Yates

Ronald Paul Yates, age 90, of Utica, passed away peacefully and was accepted into the arms of our Lord and Savior at 5:54 p.m. on July 21, 2026, at Grant Medical Center. Ronald was born on April 9, 1936, in Blacklick, Ohio, in his grandmother's log home to the late Clarence “Yank” H. and Mildred I. (Myers) Yates. He lived a long life defined by perseverance, hard work, compassion, generosity, deep wisdom, and an unwavering love for the countryside, his family and God.

He was known to most as Ron or Ronald Yates, but to his close family he was Ronnie, Grandpa, Pawpaw, or simply Pa. He was a man of strong Christian faith who could “fix” anything with a roll of duct tape, wood glue, or a hammer and nails. Everyone who knew him knew just how stubborn, or as his wife Sharon would say, “bullheaded” he could be, but they also knew how gentle, kind, and caring he was toward everyone he knew and loved, as well as those he had just met. He never knew a stranger and quickly made friends wherever he went, especially throughout his later years when he could often be found wearing his favorite “Trump” hats.

Ron started his working career at Claycraft in the brickyard in 1954 and began working at Columbia Gas in 1960, retiring after 35 years in 1991. He also often worked second jobs doing lawn care and volunteered his time helping his community and the elderly. He loved the open air and woke early every day with the anticipation of working or exploring outside. Often, you would find him tinkering in his barn, making or fixing random things, strolling the property, or taking naps in the yard until supper time.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. He hated to miss school activities or assemblies, Little League games, graduations, birthday parties, or other family functions. He was also a member of The Church of God of Licking County and enjoyed attending services every Sunday. After church services and on some evenings, you would often find Ron eating out at one of his favorite restaurants like Taco Bell or KFC, but definitely not any restaurant that took longer than five minutes to be seated or cost more than a single twenty-dollar bill.

Ronald is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Sharon G. Yates; children, Lance (Jenny) Yates, Ronata (John) Delph, and Danette (Mark) Morrison; grandchildren, Brittany (Matt) Carruthers, Abbie (Jamie) Taylor, Lukas (Ashlee) Yates, Danielle (Kerrie) Garee, and Alison (Brett) Cliver; and 14 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 6–8 p.m. at The Church of God of Licking County, (2181 Riggs Road, Newark, OH 43055), and on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at The Church of God of Licking County, where his service will immediately follow at noon, with Pastor Brian Wilfong and Pastor Bob Weaver officiating. A graveside service will take place at Jefferson Cemetery in Blacklick, OH, at 2:30 p.m., where he will be laid to rest but remain in our hearts and memories forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations and contributions be made in Ron’s memory to The Church of God of Licking County.

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