YOUR AD HERE »

OBITUARY: Harley "Rowdy" Yates 1920-2011

Harley “Rowdy” Yates passed away of natural causes on October 25, 2011 in South Lake Tahoe. He was 91 years old. Rowdy was born on September 16, 1920 in Idaho to Wilbur and Marcia Yates. On February 16, 1947 he married his wife Jacqueline in Los Angeles, CA.

Harley worked at Harvey’s Casino from 1964 until his retirement in 1984. Harley was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Theresa’s Church and a member of the Elks Club.

Harley was also known to many here in Lake Tahoe as “The Key Man.” He loved to collect keys. His sprawling key collection earned Yates a space in the “1986 Guinness Book of World Records.” At the time of his death Harley’s key collection total was 371,983.



Harley is survived by his daughter Marcia; his brother Harmon; granddaughters Ginny and Tricia; and great granddaughters Cassi, Alysha and Jordawn. Harley was preceeded in death by his wife Jacqueline after 62 years of marriage; his great great grandson D.J.; and four older siblings.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.