Eric Anthony Yates, age 71, a resident of Kings Mountain, NC, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at Testa Hospice House. He was born in Cleveland Co., NC, son of the late Hugh Willard Yates and Helen Parrish Yates. He was a former employee and supervisor at Eaton Corporation for twenty-five years and formerly employed at Lowes for 11 years. In one word, Eric was bigger than life. He loved life and people and never met a stranger. Physically Eric was a big man with a charismatic bubbly personality. At his core he was kind, loving, warm and generous; a big hearted teddy bear. These special qualities and his open, happy, loving personality drew people to him. He loved his friends, co-workers, family and was fiercely protective of their well-being. He was respected in his life's work as a knowledgeable, fair supervisor who could get the job done with his scarce resources; a MacGyver if you will. He loved taking long rides through every back road of Cleveland and York Counties with his wife or a special friend. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, softball competition and feeding birds that found their way to his home. But mostly Eric loved his wife, Sherry, of 45 years. They loved each other and shared everyday celebrating the gifts of life, family and friends. They supported each other and their love uplifted all who know them. This very special man will be missed and never forgotten by those who love him.

SURVIVORS: Wife of 45 years: Sherry Brown Yates, Kings Mtn. NC

Son: Jonathan E. Yates, Hope Mills, NC

Daughter: Angeline Yates, Hope Mills, NC

Sisters: Jane Y. Frye and husband David, Asheville, NC

Charlene Y. Sellers, Kings Mountain, NC

Nephew: Jeffery Todd Sellers and wife Wendi, Gastonia, NC

3 Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Ollie Harris Memorial Chapel, Thursday, October 6, 2016

3:00 P.M. Rev. Eddie Gray, officiating.

VISITATION: 1:30 - 2:30 P.M. Thursday, October 6, 2016 prior to the service at Harris Funeral Home, Kings Mountain, North Carolina

INTERMENT: Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, North Carolina

MEMORIALS: St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or

Hospice Of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM

ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA