James Yates

JAMES M. "JIM" YATES

James M. "Jim" Yates, age 53, of Keokuk, IA, died Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

He was born May 14, 1955, in Keokuk, IA, a son of James Elmer and Neva Delphene Butler Yates.

Survivors include: his mother, Neva Delphene Yates, of Kahoka, MO; a son, Scott Yates and his wife, Lauren, of Pawnee, IL; a daughter, Toni Middleton and her husband, Jason, of Memphis, MO; three grandchildren: Kendra Dawn Middleton, Isaac Yates and Kennedy Middleton; two brothers, Steve Yates and his wife, Beverly, of Luray, MO, and Curtis Yates of Argyle, IA; one nephew, Breckan Lee Yates; four nieces, Tracy Burks, Hayley Jo Yates, and Kristy and Kelcey Yates; a great-niece, Hidi Burks; as well as several aunts and uncles and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

Jim was a 1973 graduate of Clark Co. R-1 High School where he was active in track and football. He had been disabled the past several years and prior to that was employed as a lineman for the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad.

He was baptized in the First Baptist Church in Kahoka. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting and loved to grow vegetables and flowers.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Pastor Scott Yates officiating. Burial was in Combs Cemetery at Luray.

Memorials are requested to the family.