Foster Yates, Jr.
Chattanooga native Foster Yates, Jr., 71, passed away on August 9. A proud, 37-year member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Foster retired as an industrial painter and active member of the organization, spending much of his career at TVA’s Sequoyah Nuclear plant where his many colleagues fondly referred to him as “Rowdy” Yates. Foster returned to TVA following his IUPAT retirement as a project manager overseeing various work assignments at Sequoyah before retiring full-time in 2017.
Foster grew up in the Stuart Heights area of the city and graduated from Chattanooga City High School in 1971, where he was a standout baseball player for the Dynamos as a starting pitcher and recognized as one of the area’s finest high school players of his generation. Foster was a long-time member of the Chattanooga Yacht Club, serving as president of the board, where he and Cherie spent many years making life-long friends. Foster was an avid golfer and member of Black Creek Golf Club, as well as enjoying too-many-to-count trips to Neyland Stadium or wherever his beloved Tennessee Volunteers were taking the field. Foster loved fishing and loved nothing more than being on the water with a rod in his hand.
In retirement, Foster and Cherie spent time at their favorite vacation spot on Hilton Head Island. At home he could often be found manning his smoker cooking barbecue for family, friends, and neighbors. He took great pride in his yard and beautiful flowers, making them the envy of the neighborhood. A proud Chattanoogan, Foster was well-known for his knowledge of the city and its rich history. He kept in touch with many old friends and often checked in on them just to see how they were and to let them know if they needed anything he was there for them.
Foster is preceded in death by his parents, Foster Yates, Sr., and Lillian Yates (Thatcher) and his sister Charlotte White. He is survived by his wife Cherie (Scannell), daughter Rebecca Holder (Andy) of Chattanooga; son Foster Yates, III of Bradenton, FL and Chattanooga; daughter Natalie Yates of Bradenton, FL; son Thatcher Yates of Chattanooga; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sisters Evelyn Patterson and Dotty Kaplan of Chattanooga; and eight nieces and nephews. Over the years he and Cherie had many pups (all rescues) and he spoiled them all. Now Birdie at 14 is the only one left and she will surely miss him.
The family will welcome friends on August 23 from 2pm to 5pm at Bud's Sports Bar on Brainerd Road for a celebration of Foster’s extraordinary life.
Donations can be made to The Pet Placement Center, 5975 Dayton Blvd. Chattanooga TN 37415 https://petplacementcenter.charityproud.org/Donate and/or The Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. https://www.kidneyfoundation.com/
Arrangements entrusted to Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel.