Ray Yates

Ray Yates, 77, of Carmi, passed away at 7:47 a.m., Friday, May 11, 2018 at his residence. He was born in Henderson, KY on November 4, 1940 the son of Arlee "Hagar" and Dorothy (Artman) Yates. Ray married Karen Kay Hamblin on September 29, 1962 and she survives. He was a Carmi White County Unit 5 School Bus Driver, City of Carmi Custodian and was the owner and operator of Ray Yates Fire Extinguisher Service. Ray served on the Carmi Fire Department for 42 years, 26 of those years as the Fire Chief. Ray loved animals and was a member of Ashland Christian Church and the Carmi Elks.

Ray is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen; daughter, Kimberly Yates, of Carmi; sisters, Thelma (Roy) Shepard and Audrey (Don) Huff, both of Carmi; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Raymond Earl Yates.

Funeral services for Ray Yates, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. Burial will be in Big Prairie Cemetery in Carmi. Visitation will be on Monday, May 14, 2018 from 5:00-8:00 p.m., at Campbell Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made in Ray's memory to Pets at Risk and will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home.