David Charles Yates of Palatine, IL

David Charles Yates, 54, was born on December 30, 1969 in Elgin, Illinois to Robert and Julia (nee Riggs) Yates. He died on Thursday October 3, 2024 at Northwest Community Hospital, in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Dave always had a love of sports. Whether it was playing pick up ball at the local park as a child, coaching all of his children's teams or coaching as a high school teacher, Dave loved being part of the game. His high school success led to Dave playing basketball for Elmhurst College (University), becoming a captain, and the team making the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. After college, Dave was a high school math teacher and coached both basketball and baseball. He decided to focus on coaching basketball, by working as a graduate assistant at Lewis University. He later moved on to Highland HS in Gilbert, Arizona to his first head boys basketball coaching position that culminated in a state championship appearance. Later, Dave became a teacher and assistant boys basketball coach at Fremd HS in Palatine, IL. In 2006, Dave changed from coaching in the boys program to take over the reigns of the girls basketball program. Dave's career included 5 trips downstate (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2024) including the state championship in 2020 and third place this year, 13 conference titles, 11 regional titles, 5 sectional titles, 5 supersectional titles and over 400 wins at Fremd HS alone. Dave was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024. Dave also coached for multiple AAU programs and numerous park district teams, soccer, basketball, softball and baseball, as well as feeder teams.

As much as Dave loved sports, he loved being a husband and father more. Dave and Kathy met as fellow math teachers and have been together ever since. Their marriage can be described as always up for an adventure, always ready to laugh, and always having the deepest love and respect for one another. Dave and Kathy have 4 children, Tanner, Hope, Emma and Brooklynn. Dave always felt his role was that of supporter, protector, and the family comedian. Dave would lay on the floor with the kids playing Legos, color in the coloring books, or crack a joke to make them laugh. Dave coached almost every team his children played on. There were times he would leave his high school practice and head to two more practices, one for Tanner and one for Hope, to finish his day. And, he loved every minute of it. Being with his family, whether he was taking walks through the neighborhood or watching a movie at home, was his ultimate joy.

Dave was blessed to have many nieces and nephews. He could not have loved them any more than he did. He was their biggest fan and even had the pleasure of coaching several of them in basketball and soccer.

In August 2023, Dave was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of brain cancer. Dave battled through numerous surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, to continue to live his life. With the help of his doctors and their team, Dave was able to gain an additional wonderfully packed year of life. Dave spent the last year visiting with friends, taking short trips with his family, spending time with his colleagues, whom he cherished, and coaching his high school team and Brooklynn's feeder team one more season. Dave believed in making the most of each moment and soaking up life, always with a laugh. He also believed in naps.

David is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kathleen (nee Metz) Yates; his children, Tanner, Hope, Emma, and Brooklynn Yates; his mother, Julia, and his brothers, Mark, Michael, and William (Mindy) Yates.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert.

Visitation will start at 4:00 pm on Friday, October 11, 2024 at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, 440 South Mitchell Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Please arrive early as visitation will conclude promptly at 8:00 pm. There will be a short visitation at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church on Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 9:30 am until time of prayers at 10:20 am with the Funeral Mass beginning at 10:45 am. Interment is private.

At Dave's request, guests are requested to please dress casually for both the visitation and the funeral. Wear a Fremd HS shirt, green or gold, your own HS shirt or AAU or college gear. All school colors are welcomed.