Roll Call Tribute

Thomas Hugh Yates, Jr. 

November 16, 1933 - December 30, 2023 

Thomas Hugh Yates, Jr., of San Antonio, Texas went to be with the Lord on December 30, 2023. Tommy was born and raised in Laredo, Texas and graduated from Martin High School in 1951. Tommy attended Texas A&M University where he received Bachelors of Science degrees in Petroleum Engineering and Geology in 1956. Tommy was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and upon graduation, received his commission into the United States Air Force Reserve.

After his military service, Tommy went to work for Humble Oil in Houston, Texas and then in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1967, Tommy returned home to Laredo to take over the Texaco Distributorship after his brother-in-law, Louis Kowalski, passed away. While continuing as distributor, Tommy started Tom Yates Petroleum Company which operated numerous gas stations, convenience stores, and car washes throughout South Texas. Tommy worked in the oil and gas industry all of his life. He founded several exploration companies, including Yates Exploration, JIL Oil, and WAFUM which were dedicated to drilling and operating oil and gas wells in Texas and surrounding states.

Tommy’s favorite pastimes included hunting and fishing, skiing with his family in Breckenridge, Colorado, and water sports in Horseshoe Bay. Tommy and his wife, Dee, were big supporters of Texas A&M University. They regularly took their RV to both home and away football games, often including one or more grandchildren on the trips. He was a proud member of the Texas A&M 12th Man Association, the Century Club and the Former Student’s Association.

Above all, Tommy’s true passions outside of work were his family and serving his Lord Jesus Christ. Tommy was an evangelist at heart. Tommy and Dee led numerous bible studies over the years and were instrumental in starting the Laredo Christian Academy, a private Christian School (K-12). Tommy was active in Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International and Bible Study Fellowship for many years and loved sharing the story of salvation with everyone he met. He was an amazing man, he loved the Lord, loved his family and was a man of integrity in all aspects of his business and personal life. Tommy was an inspiration to his family and friends and will be missed by all.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Claire Yates, his brother, Sammy Yates, and his sister, Kika Kowalski Leonard (Louis Kowalski, Edwin Leonard).

Tommy is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Deanna Yates and daughters, Karen Yates Hopkins (Tom), Linda Yates Nanney (Jeff), and Susan Yates Dulske (John), his brother Mike Yates (Lil), sister-in-law Patricia Yates, brother-in-law Philip Felber (Karen), 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

General visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. followed by the Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge. Private Entombment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider making donations to the Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org) or Focus on the Family (donate.focusonthefamily.com).