Morris Clement Yates, 89, of Madisonville, KY passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at his home after a long and well lived life.
Morris was born on May 3, 1935, in Marion, Kentucky to the late Trice Warren Yates and Marguerite Bigham Yates. In 1947, he met the love of his life, Jeanette Harris, and the two were inseparable from that point on. Morris and Jeanette married on August 20, 1955, and were married for sixty-six years. Their wedding ceremony was the first marriage in the sanctuary of the newly constructed Madisonville First Baptist Church
He was a uniquely talented force of nature in life and work. A loving husband, father, grand and great- grandfather, he was adored by many and will be deeply missed. Morris dedicated his professional life to helping individuals care for their smiles and dedicated his retirement to making people smile. His legacy is the inspiration he gave us to not let physical challenges limit your zest for life nor your ability to positively impact others.
Morris was a life-long and astute fan of football and follower of the SEC. Personally, he was a gifted football player, playing as both offense and defense guard for the Madisonville Maroons. He was All-Western Kentucky Conference (1951) and most outstanding player in the WKC in 1952. Morris was Honorable Mention for All-State in his sophomore year, achieving the All-State honors his junior and senior years for both offense and defense guard positions. In 1952, his senior year, he was named Kentucky’s Player of the Year. That same year he was selected as a guard for the National High School All-American squad and participated in the annual East-West All-Star football game. After receiving offers to continue his football career from the University of Kentucky, Georgia Tech, University of Tennessee, University of Alabama, Indiana University, and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Morris attended Vanderbilt University (1953-54) as Jeanette would also be attending college in Nashville. Morris graduated from University of Tennessee-Martin in 1955, prior to attending University of Louisville Dental School. Morris graduated with his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 1960.
Upon return to Madisonville in 1960, Morris opened the first non-segregated practice in his community. He was drafted by the Army in 1962 where he achieved the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Morris practiced dentistry at 77 North Street for twenty-eight years. While active in his dental practice, Dr. Yates was known for his good humor, a ready smile, humming or singing while he worked, and always asking you questions while your mouth was full. It was said that he remained upbeat even if you chewed on his thumb a little. Morris was willing to assist in dental care at all hours of the night in his office whether you were a regular patient or not. In 1988, he was forced to take early retirement due to acute degenerative osteoarthritis.
Morris served as president of the Kentucky Dental Association for 1993-1994 and as interim executive director from 1992-1993. He was on the KDA Executive Board from 1976-1992. He served as a Kentucky delegate to the American Dental Association from 1974 – 1992 and served on the Council of American Dental Association Sessions and International Relations. He received the KDA’s Distinguished Service Award in 1995 for his efforts to better the profession of dentistry. Morris was a life member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, a member of the International College of Dentistry and the American College of Dentistry, a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and served in multiple capacities with the West Central Dental Association. Morris served as a volunteer faculty member of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and was a member of the Advisory Council for the Madisonville Dental Hygiene Program.
Morris was also committed to civic duty. He was a former president of the Madisonville Rotary Club and received the honor of being a Paul Harris Fellow. His love of football was evident in his support of Rotary youth football even to the point of removing his toupee during the annual televised Rotary auction for the highest bid to support that endeavor. Additionally, Morris served on the YMCA Board member, Zoning Board of Adjustments, West Area Health Systems, Sanctuary Board, the Department of Human Resources Alcohol & Drug Abuse Task Force, West Area Health Center for Women, and on the Hopkins County Educational Foundation Board. Morris was honored as a Kentucky Colonel by former Governors Ernie Fletcher and Wallace Wilkinson.
Upon his retirement, Morris began another civic adventure with his involvement at Habitat for Humanity. While he served as president of the local board of directors, his lasting impact was his commitment to be present at each build and put every effort of energy he had in building homes. Besides his local involvement, he participated in the 2001 Jimmy Carter World Leaders Project in South Korea. In response to his devotion to Habitat, Morris stated, “I receive more than I give when you see the hope and joy in the eyes of the people when they receive a dream they wouldn’t normally get.” Overall, Morris participated in building thirty-seven homes in Hopkins County. Another activity that brought him great joy in retirement was his membership in the breakfast club, R.O.M.E.O. (Retired Old Men Eating Out).
In 2002, Morris was honored by the Madisonville Lions Club as their Man of the Year. When interviewed for the recognition, Morris said, “I was raised to try and leave wherever you are better than you found it. I believe in the scripture that when you do unto the least of others you do unto me.” He was also a recipient of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award.
Morris was an active lifelong member of First Baptist Church Madisonville. He served as a Sunday School teacher, assistant chairman of deacon, an associate of Boy Scout Troop 11, chairman of Audubon District Council for 3 years, served on several committees, and assisted in distribution of the community food closet. Under the auspices of the church, he participated in mission work in St. Petersburg, Russia and Tanzania.
In addition to his parents, Morris was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette, in July 2021; his older brother, Charlie; and three infant children.
He is survived by his daughter Beth (Jesse) Huff; son, David (Kelly) Yates; a grandson he raised as his own son, Kyle (Maureen) Yates; grandchildren, Conner (Abbey) Huff, Monica (Jared) Huff, and Austin Yates; two great-grandchildren, Bryce Yates and Kyle Owen Yates; sister-in-law, Beverly Dockrey; a special niece and her spouse, Charlotte (Ron) Weber; special nephew and spouse, Alan (Becky) Dockrey; and several great-nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Morris’ caregivers that provided loving, respectful devotion, companionship, and support as well as welcoming him into their families as one of their own: Shevon Wilkes, Rhonda Hamby and Melanie DeMoss. We thank Bill Powell for keeping Morris dapper until the end. Finally, the family wishes to thank Dr. Dianne Goodale, Dr. John DaCosta, and Dr. Mohan Rao for their excellent care of Morris.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home with Ingy Winders officiating. Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville. Military honors will be conducted graveside by the United States Army and the Hopkins County Honor Guard.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday at the funeral home. It will be a time to mourn, share memories, see old friends, and celebrate the life of a wonderful man.
If you would like to honor Morris’ memory, take a friend or relative out for coffee, lunch or dinner and enjoy a good laugh.
The family asks, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in the memory of Morris to Pennyrile Habitat for Humanity, the Adaptive Surf Project of North Myrtle Beach, SC to support their beach wheelchair program, or The Madisonville Rotary Club Youth Football Program.
Pallbearers are Jesse Huff, Conner T. Huff, Jared Holmes, Mickey Blakeley, Kyle Yates, Jr., Bryce Yates, and Scott Gee. Honorary pallbearers are Alan Dockrey, Ron Weber, Kyle Yates, Sr., David Yates, and Monica Huff.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.harrisfuneralinc.com
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