Henry David Yates

Sergeant Major Henry David Yates, US Army Ret., age 86 of Gulfport, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Nettie Yates; his son, Charles Wesley Yates; his sisters, Ollie Jane, Annie Lee, Ethel, Haney, Iva, Verna, Odie Bell, Earline, Annie Bell, Dorothy, Mildred, Lucille and Mary Louise; and his brothers, James Elbert, John Earl, William Jay, Albert Eugene, Charles Everett, Ernest Dewey, James Starlon and William Arnold.

Henry is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Mary Bell Yates; his children, Gail (Jamie) Fazzio and Troy Yates; his grandchildren, Brittany (Steven) Blahnik, Derek (Christa) Brignac, and Eli Yates; his great grandchildren, Leah Thomas, Parker Blahnik, Emily Penney, Ryker Brignac and Remi Brignac; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He grew up in and around Charleston and Clarksdale, Mississippi, and earned his GED while serving in the United States Army. Before enlisting at the age of 21, he worked on local farms, learning the value of hard work early in life. While working on the farm, one day his boss told him his crop rows were not straight. He replied, “They were straight this morning when I plowed them, the sun came out and warped them!” He went on to proudly serve 23 years in the U.S. Army, retiring with honorable service.

After retirement, he continued his career as a club manager for U.S. Army Officers’ Clubs at Fort Benning, Fort Polk, and Adak, Alaska. He also served as club manager at the Diamond Head Country Club and the Seabee Base and later worked as a chef at several casinos along the Gulf Coast.

Cooking was his true passion, and his great sense of humor brought joy to everyone around him. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family. He also loved working on old cars and took pride in restoring them.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, with visitation beginning at 12:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow with military honors at Biloxi National Cemetery.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .