P. Christian “Chris” Yates

A native of Jamestown, Chris was born on May 25, 1945, the third of ten children of the late Phillip D. Yates, Sr. and Jane E. “Betty” Jungjohann Yates Sheldon. He was husband of 29 years to Penelope Hutton of Jamestown and father of three sons: P. Christian (Betsy) Yates, Jr. of Savannah, GA, Mark C. (Michaela) Yates of Bluffton, SC and Andrew S. (Pam Tallon) Yates of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Chris had three grandchildren: Soren Yates, James Werner and Jessica Snyder.

His siblings Phillip “Flip” Yates Jr., Leigh “Mick” Yates, and Martha Yates preceded him in death and he is survived by siblings Jane (Fritz) Gram of Cuba, NY, Linda (Jamie Hanks) Yates of Greenhurst, Bettina (Jim) Wilkinson of Valencia, PA, George Yates of The Villages, FL, Nancy (Phil) Cala of Greenhurst, and Robert (Rene) Yates of Ashville. Besides his parents and siblings he was preceded in death by two stepsons Bruce Michael Werner, Jr and James Matthew Werner.

His early years were spent at the family’s home on Fairmount Avenue, and on Chautauqua Lake. Sailing and family were lifelong passions, whether in regattas across the lakes of New York crewing E-Scows and Snipes with his brothers and sisters, living aboard R Haus in harbors near New York City, or spending summer days with his boys and nephews and nieces skippering a well-worn Hobie Cat on Chautauqua.

A graduate of Richland High School in Gibsonia, PA, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Jefferson University and studied at the General Theological Seminary in New York.

In 1968 Chris began a 31 year career in banking: with Citibank, including five years leading operations overseas in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, later with the Resolution Trust Corporation of the FDIC, and finally HSBC in Jamestown after he and Pene returned to the area in 1996. Later, Chris served as Director of Jobs Chautauqua.

Chris seemed to know everyone. And if he didn’t know you, he’d quickly make you feel like an old friend, with his engaging smile and deep, genuine interest in people’s lives. That focus on people led Chris to serve many Chautauqua area community organizations including Past President of the Jamestown Rotary Club and a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, former Chairman of the Chautauqua Lake Association, former President of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, former Chair of the Chautauqua Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Grace Retirement Homes. Chris was a facilitator for the Chautauqua County Victim Impact Panel and longtime active member of Lakewood Baptist Church where he held many leadership roles.

In keeping with Chris’ wishes, no funeral service or visitation will be observed.

Memorials may be made to Lakewood Baptist Church.

Words of condolence may be shared at lindfuneralhome.com

Home | Lind Funeral Home located in Jamestown, New York

The Lind Family and associates wish to express our deep gratitude for the confidence, friendship and trust you have placed in us. We are honored to be of service to you and pledge to continue to serve to the best of our ability, with professional care and genuine concern each time we are called.

lindfuneralhome.com