Joseph "Keto" Keith Yates

Funeral services for Joseph "Keto" Keith Yates, 64, of Cushing, will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Eden Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home. Joseph was born on January 1, 1961, in Houston to the late Homer Willard and Viola Marie (Harshall) Yates. He passed away on June 4, 2025, in Cushing.

Joseph “Keto” Keith Yates grew up in Nacogdoches County. He attended Alto High School. His whole life he was a heavy equipment operator, which he thoroughly enjoyed. For 40 years he traveled working with pipeline services. Joseph met his wife, Sandra, in Lufkin, and they were soon married. They enjoyed 10 years together until her passing. Joseph enjoyed the simpler things in life like fishing and hunting. He was a master on the barbecue, and he could spend hours just listening to his favorite music. Joseph loved his family fiercely and was particularly protective of his sisters. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Joseph is survived by his sisters, Cynthia Bryant and Sherry Derbin and husband, Clyde; brother, Homer Jeffery Yates and wife, Rhonda; children, Shelley Rene Leopard, Joseph Keith Yates, II, and J.R. Yates; and 8 grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Rene Yates; parents, Homer Willard and Viola Marie Yates; half-brother, Homer Jerral Yates; and half-sister, Carolyn Sue Gilcrest.

Serving as pallbearers will be Caden Coats, Gary Thomas, Casey Coats, Jason Coats, Nicholas Derbin, and Darrell Derbin.

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