George David Yates was an absolute giant in every sense of the word, a big man in stature and an even bigger man about the truly important things in life.
Born in Grove City, Ohio to George Adrian Yates and the former Anne Rill in 1949, George was a star student and athlete from a young age. At a towering 6'9", George was recruited to play basketball for Harvard College in 1967. He was the first person in his small town to attend an Ivy League school. During George’s junior year in college, he met the love of his life, Linda Blum. They graduated from their respective alma maters in 1971 and moved to New York City, where they were married in 1976. Sent to the East End for his work, George fell in love with the area, and they moved to East Hampton the same year they were married.
In 1981, George became a partner in the E.T. Dayton insurance agency in East Hampton. In 1991, he became president. Over the years, George and his partners grew E.T. Dayton from just two full-time employees into the Dayton Ritz + Osborne Insurance Agency it is today, with more than 30 employees.
George was very active and respected in the insurance community. He was a former board member and former chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of New York (“IIAANY”). He also served as president of the Independent Insurance Brokers Association of Suffolk County for the 1994-1995 term. In addition, he was a founder and past president of the East Hampton Business Alliance.
George received the Outstanding Local Board President Award from IIAANY in 1996 and the organization’s President’s Citation in 1999. He was also the recipient in 2000 of the Ferdinand Coste Award, which recognizes individuals who have made a lasting and outstanding contribution to the insurance industry in New York with their distinguished service.
George spread his goodness liberally and quietly. To help preserve the beauty of the East End, he served as a board member of The Nature Conservancy of Long Island for 24 years and was a past treasurer. He also served on the board of Guild Hall, where he was a trustee for 30-plus years. He most recently served there as the chair of the Building & Grounds Committee to guide its current renovation.
George was a passionate golfer and a longtime member of the Maidstone Club, where he served on the Golf Committee. He was also a member of the Devon Yacht Club.
Whether on the golf course, in one of his many charitable endeavors, or just walking around the town of East Hampton, George would unfailingly say hello. He was a true gentleman whose kind smile and wry sense of humor provided a sense of overall warmth and good energy to anyone he encountered. Smart, witty, and friendly, he was greatly loved by his friends and family.
George, 74, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Linda Yates, and his cherished daughter, Samantha Yates, who lives in New York City. Also surviving are his brother, Dr. Michael Yates of Huntsville, Ala., his sister, Janet Yates Zeitler of Cincinnati, Ohio, and their families.
A celebration of his life will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in his name to Guild Hall or the donor’s charity of choice.
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