Ricky Recarter Yates' Obituary
Ricky Recarter Yates, 73, finished his final race on Sunday, April 26th, 2026 at Fauquier Health in Warrenton, VA. He hit the road at full speed on April 3rd, 1953 born to the late George Ward and Alcie Glenmore Yates in Culpeper, VA.
Ricky was a graduate of Culpeper County Schools and did many jobs during his race, he worked as a mechanic, in chimney restoration, and in construction.
Ricky spent many years drag racing, he enjoyed everything about the track, the sound, the smell, and the power that his bike, Chocolate Kiss had as they raced down the eighth mile of the track as fast as they both could handle. He enjoyed traveling with his family to the “big” tracks and seeing all of the NHRA drivers, always pit side.
After retiring, Ricky enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and his dobermans, Lucy and Ethel. They brought him endless joy and were his most loyal companions. Ricky also passed on his love for dobermans to his family and we are forever thankful for his gift of our Lucious to us.
Ricky leaves to cherish his memory, his sons, Wendell Yates (Tasha), Ryland Jones, and daughter Claudetina Washington, his grandchildren, Tatyana Yates, Jaesean Yates, Natalya White, Troy Jones, Darrel Hughes, Trizsean Washington, Essence Jones, Xavier Morton, and Jakorey Jones, great granddaughters, Aubree and Delilah Hughes. He is also survived by his brother, George Yates (Gretchen) and sisters Matilda Poland and Molly Yates, his sisters in law, Barbara Yates and Patsy Yates, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Ricky was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alcie Glenmore Yates, his brothers, Jesse, William (Virginia), Melvin, Walter Burgess, Glen (Sandra), Thomas Yates, sister Mabel (Carl) Crawford, brother in law Roy Poland, and his two grandsons Rayshawn G. and Jesse O. Yates.
Ricky loved many things, Boss Mustangs, hot rodding in his pickup, rooting on his Dallas Cowboys, but nothing could compare to the love that he had for his grandbabies. The smile that he gave until the very end hearing them singing the name “Granddaddy” will forever be etched in our hearts.
Pop, love you later and always.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, Va. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Interment will follow at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, 14123 Norman Rd., Culpeper, Va.
Pallbearers serving the family will be Wendell Yates, Jaesean Yates,
Trizsean Washington, Troy Jones, Jakorey Jones, and Darrel Hughes.
Honorary Pallbearers serving the family will be Glen Robinson.
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