PHIL YATES obituary

GREAT FALLS - Phil A. Yates, 84, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005, at a Great Falls hospital of natural causes.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Croxford and Sons in Great Falls with burial in Highland Cemetery.

Phil was born April 28, 1920, in Fargo, N.D., to Martina and Philander Yates. He moved to Havre as a child. Following graduation from Havre High School, he served in the U.S. Army. He returned home after his discharge and began a lifetime career in banking.

For years, Phil was president of Citizens Bank in Havre. In 1976, he became president of Montana Bank Corp. in Great Falls, a position he held until retirement.

Phil was a man of impeccable integrity, loyalty and kindness. He and his wife, Margaret, were highly active in the Havre community. Phil was past president of Montana Bankers' Association and several Havre service organizations.

Phil enjoyed sports, especially golf.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 33 years, Margaret Mae Teel; friend and companion, Mary Crago; siblings, George Yates, Johnny Yates and Ann Renaker; brothers-in-law, William Teel and George Renaker.

Survivors include his sons, Phil Patrick (Linda) Yates and Doug Yates; siblings, Martha (Hermie) Ohland and Byron (Adeline) Yates; sister-in-law, Rosemary Teel; and the family of Mary and Hughes Crago, Nancy (Ron), Ellen, Mary (Mark) and their children, who to Phil were his grandchildren.

The extended Crago family gave Phil much joy and happiness, greatly enriching his senior years. Many of his survivors were present in Phil's final days during which he remained alert and communicative.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.