Jack Allen Yates' Obituary
In Loving Memory of Jack Allen Yates
December 10, 1944 – January 29, 2026
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, our sweet and beloved husband, father, grandpa, uncle, and friend, Jack Allen Yates, returned home to his Heavenly Father.
Jack was born on December 10, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to his loving parents, Thomas Arvel Yates and Lillian Melba Duke Yates. He had one brother, Thomas Howard Yates, whom he loved dearly and always looked up to.
Jack married his precious eternal sweetheart, Dawn Joy Bushnell, on March 17, 1967, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were just weeks away from celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary. He treasured Dawn and treated her like a queen. His love for her was unwavering and endless, and he cherished every moment they spent together.
Together, Jack and Dawn were blessed with nine children: Suzanne, Michael, David, Kristi, Mark, Doug, Steven, Tim, and Holly. Jack loved each of his children deeply and had a close, personal relationship with every one of them. He treated his sons- and daughters-in-law as his own and loved each of his grandchildren wholeheartedly. Family was everything to him.
Jack was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a deeply spiritual man who loved his Savior and had a strong testimony of the gospel. He had a passion for family history and temple work and served faithfully in many church callings. One of the things his family will miss most is his powerful priesthood blessings. He was gifted with words, and his blessings brought comfort, peace, and strength like no other. He was truly a Christlike man, never speaking ill or unclean words.
Jack had a passion for all types of music and could often be found listening to it. He loved the drums, guitar, and banjo. He found peace and solace outdoors, especially near running water. He enjoyed old cars, westerns, and classic movies. He loved writing poems and books and creating and telling stories. He enjoyed running and participated in track during junior high. Jack loved to laugh and had a very dry, sarcastic sense of humor. He had a huge heart and deep compassion for others. One of his favorite things was receiving a back scratch or massage.
Jack was highly intelligent and had a lifelong love of learning. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah. He enjoyed studying maps, geography, foreign languages, and history, especially the Revolutionary War. He always dreamed of becoming an attorney and loved the idea of traveling the world and exploring new places.
Throughout his life, Jack held many jobs, including newspaper delivery, working for the newspaper, serving as a buyer, office supply salesman, and even a parking lot attendant where he loved seeing how fast he could get the cars going. He later became a very successful insurance adjuster and founded his own business, Frontier Adjusters, which he ran for over 40 years. Most recently, he helped his wife with her daycare and especially loved being around the children.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Dawn Joy Bushnell Yates; his children Suzanne (Ray) Hunt, Michael Yates, David (Jennifer) Yates, Kristi (Corey) Bates, Mark Yates, Doug (Brooke) Yates, Steven Yates, Tim Yates, and Holly (Thomas) Steggell; 35 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Connie Yates.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Arvel Yates and Lillian Melba Duke Yates, and his brother, Thomas Howard Yates.
Jack will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
We love you. Until we meet again.
Viewings:
Friday, February 6, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, February 7, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Funeral Service:
Saturday, February 7 at 1:00 PM
711 S. Peteetneet Blvd., Payson, Utah
Interment:
Payson City Cemetery
400 N. 800 E., Payson, Utah
Zoom Link:
https://byu.zoom.us/j/93094322468?pwd=POOpTUaMu4gg5hB3KbbPBBgr1EPetA.1
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