Doyle Eugene Yates was born on July 21, 1932, to Charlie and Tennie Yates in Hunt Arkansas. He passed away from this life on August 29, 2023, at his home in Sperry at the age of 91 with his beloved wife of 71 years, Virginia, by his side. Doyle was raised in Hartman Arkansas. He graduated from Hartman Public Schools where he played basketball and was on the boxing team. He also won a trophy while in school for winning a horseshoe match. After graduation he moved to Tulsa and became the manager of the first self-serve gas station in Oklahoma, Go Gas. He soon met Virginia and they were married on April 5, 1952. They soon started their family with the birth of Charlie in 1953. Mark was born in 1956 and Jennifer was born in 1967.
Doyle went on to work at Page Glencliff where he was a supervisor delivering milk and ice cream. He could always tell you which restaurants were the cleanest in town. After 8 years at Page, he went to work for Central Mill and then Harrison Manufacturing. In 1981, his son Mark came to him and talked about a weekend side job for the two of them to make beverage bases for Pepsi, in Doyle’s garage. This is when Mayco Fixture was formed, and Doyle worked as the Vice President/Shop Manager for 12 years. Mark continued his Dad’s legacy building the company to what it is today and in 2022 Jennifer became a partner to continue the legacy that began 42 years ago.
After retirement Doyle continued his passion of woodworking, building a shop, a treehouse for his grandson, doing many projects around the home and miscellaneous jobs for Mayco. He also continued his Wednesday afternoon 9-hole golf game with his sons Charlie, Mark and “adopted” son Don. For over 30 years they played come rain or shine.
He also enjoyed gardening. In 1968, Doyle, Virginia and their sons built their home where they did all the work themselves. Doyle planted a half-acre garden full of many vegetables and over time it went from a large garden to a small one, growing only tomatoes and okra. Okra was the family favorite and Doyle would daily count his picked okra pods and tally them when the growing season was over each year. One year his tally was over 10,000 pods.
He also enjoyed mowing and visiting or helping his neighbors.
His life was his family and he always enjoyed spending time with them. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them.
Doyle is survived by his wife Virginia. His son Mark. His daughter Jennifer and her husband Chris.
Grandchildren; Chet, Casey, Stephanie, Bobby, Traci, BJ, Kyle, Amber, Gage, and their spouses.
Great Grandchildren; Cade, Gianna, Brady, Bennett, Luke, Hogan, and Henry
His sister which he adored Florene Stabler and many nieces and nephews.
Doyle is preceded in death by his son Charlie and daughter-in-law Dianna, his parents, 3 brothers and a sister.
Doyle was giving in many ways and always lending a hand to his family and friends. His last wish was to donate his body to the University of Oklahoma Medical School. Why he didn’t donate to Oklahoma State University…we’ll never know��
Grandchildren; Chet, Casey, Stephanie, Bobby, Traci, BJ, Kyle, Amber, Gage, and their spouses.
Great Grandchildren; Cade, Gianna, Brady, Bennett, Luke, Hogan, and Henry
His sister which he adored Florene Stabler and many nieces and nephews.
Doyle is preceded in death by his son Charlie and daughter-in-law Dianna, his parents, 3 brothers and a sister.
Doyle was giving in many ways and always lending a hand to his family and friends. His last wish was to donate his body to the University of Oklahoma Medical School. Why he didn’t donate to Oklahoma State University…we’ll never know��
