John Carl Yates, age 69, of Springfield, Oregon, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2019. He was born at Emanuel Hospital on December 12, 1949 in Portland, Oregon to parents Robert and Ilene (Trunnell) Yates. He married Debbie (Dixon) Yate January 20, 1981. They were married 21 years. John graduated from Sheldon High School in 1968 and worked as a custodian and handyman for grocery stores and the DMV in Cottage Grove. He was an avid Elvis fan and model car collector. He loved attending car shows and show and shines. John also loved shopping for diecast cars at any local thrift stores. He enjoyed family gatherings and traveling with the family. John was a member of the Lane Auto Modelers. He was also a member of the Special Olympics bocce team. If you ever had a question for john, he would respond, “that’s fine”. Johns grandson Hugh is the 6^thgeneration on his family’s farm, where John enjoyed working in the hay fields and tending to the animals. He is survived by his stepfather Robert Grimes; daughter Angela Yates; and Brothers Thomas “Tom” Yates, and Robert “Bobby” Yates both of Eugene, Oregon and a grandson Hugh. There will be a private family graveside at Fir Grove Cemetery. Arrangements in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, Cottage Grove, OR.