James Gregory “Greg” Yates, 59, a lifelong resident of the Horseshoe community, passed away on September 9, 2026, at Anderson Baptist, surrounded by the love of his family.

Greg was born November 11, 1966, in Greenfield, Indiana, to Truman and Marie Yates. He attended Sebastopol Attendance Center through the ninth grade before leaving school to begin what would become a lifetime of hard work.

Greg began his working career at Richton Tie & Timber Company in Walnut Grove, where he worked in the wood yard. He also spent time hauling logs alongside his brother, Nelson. Throughout the years, Greg worked maintenance at several chicken plants, including one where he famously lost a finger. In true Greg fashion, he managed to turn even that into a story—keeping the finger on display in the refrigerator because he thought it was funny. He later worked as an electrician for GES out of Morton and South Ark out of Arkansas.

Greg shared 41 years of marriage with his loving wife, Liz Yates. Together, they built a life centered around family, love, laughter, and plenty of aggravation—usually courtesy of Greg.

Greg was a man who was completely comfortable being himself. So comfortable, in fact, that he bought Liz a pink and white van, affectionately known as the “Barbie Van,” and never thought twice about proudly driving it around himself. That Barbie Van became part of many memories over the years, including Greg loading up his daughter, Jessica, and her friends and driving them to many Friday night football games. It was just one of the many ways Greg showed up for his family—and one of the stories guaranteed to bring a smile whenever his name is mentioned.

He loved riding his motorcycle, boating, skiing, camping, and, most of all, spending time with his family. Greg proudly considered himself an “agitator” and took great pleasure in aggravating the people he loved. If he picked on you, chances were you held a special place in his heart.

Greg was also the family’s resident “Life360 stalker,” always keeping tabs on where everyone was and what they were doing. It was just another way he looked out for the people he loved.

Behind all of his joking and picking was a man with a big heart. Greg was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He loved his children and grandchildren fiercely. He especially enjoyed picking at his grandkids, and they gave it right back to him. Those moments of laughter, teasing, and love will be some of the memories they treasure most.

Greg is survived by his wife of 41 years, Liz Yates; his two sons, Timothy Yates and Brian Yates, both of Horseshoe; and his daughter, Jessica Speed and her husband, Ricky.

He leaves behind five beloved grandsons, TJ Yates and Aubree, Tyler Monk and Payton, Dillan Yates, Kayden Monk, and Krusher Speed; two bonus grandsons, Mason Speed and Cooper Speed; and two bonus granddaughters, Gabby Pirtle and her husband, Josh, and Taylor Gregory and her husband, Nick. He is also survived by his sister, Debra Yates-Hughes, along with many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Truman and Marie Yates; his beloved infant grandson, Ryder Blayze Speed; his brothers, Nelson Yates and Danny Joe Yates; his nephew, Erik King; and his niece, Lily Yates.

Greg leaves behind far more than the story of a hardworking life. He leaves behind 41 years of marriage, children and grandchildren who knew without question how fiercely they were loved, countless stories that will be told for years to come, and a family that will undoubtedly continue to laugh about the things he did and say, “That was Greg.”

His family will miss his teasing, his watchful eye on Life360, his willingness to help, his sense of humor, and simply knowing he was there. There will be an emptiness in the places he once filled and a silence where his laughter and aggravating once lived, but the love Greg gave his family will never leave them.

While saying goodbye to Greg is incredibly difficult, there is comfort in imagining the beautiful reunion that awaited him—his grandson Ryder Blayze, no longer a baby in his arms for just a little while, but his to hold for all of eternity. After years of carrying Ryder’s memory in his heart, Papaw can hold his little grandson again, and this time he never has to let him go.

Until they meet again, his family will carry Greg with them—in every family gathering, every motorcycle ride, every joke, and every time someone checks Life360 a few too many times. His love will live on through his children and grandchildren, and the stories of the man they loved so fiercely will be told for generations.

Funeral services will be held at Milling Funeral Home Chapel of Sebastopol on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with services following. Burial will be at Damascus Cemetery. Brother Matt Clark and Brother Jason Price will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Randy Jackson, Dink Speed, Diego Reyes, Chase Patrick, Andy Smith, and Mike Runnels.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in memory of Greg’s grandson, Ryder Blayze Speed.