James "Jim"

Dale Yates

James "Jim" Dale Yates, son of the late James F. and Dorothy Webster Yates was born at home in Frank's Switch, Missouri on October 25, 1950. He departed this life at his home in the early morning hours of March 15, 2025.

On August 30, 1991, at the Ellington United Methodist Parsonage, Jim was united in marriage to Dora Lynne Dawson. Their children are Tamala (Wade) Wright and Christina (Kevin) Murphy of Birch Tree, MO, Casey (Herc) Jones and Trish of Montreal, MO, Elizabeth Ann Yates and Laura (Jon) McLean of Farmington, MO and "Rowdy" James Dale (Hannah) Yates of Bunker, MO.

Jim and Dora have seven grandchildren who were the lights of their lives: Nolan James and Jonathon Nash McLean, Ryker Dale, Remi Lynne, Rhett Anthony, Ripley Case Yates and Sophie Elizabeth Yates.

Jim was saved at an early age and baptized at Crossville, Baptist Church in Bunker, MO where they were members. Of late, Jim and Dora attended Ohlman Missionary Baptist Church with Rowdy, Hannah and family. Jim graduated from Newburg High School in 1968. He served in the United States Army in Germany.

Jim was a carpenter and electrician by trade, having built and remodeled many homes and commercial buildings throughout his life. He was employed for nearly forty years for Ozark Lead, Asarco, and The Doe Run Company including the Glover Smelter. Jim worked as an electrician at nearly every location. Jim was also a "silent" partner of Rowdy's LLC.

Jim enjoyed hunting-especially spring Turkey Season and fishing. He enjoyed building the family homes and fixing things-if he couldn't fix it, it was indeed broken.

He had a passion for muscle cars, having owned several. There was nothing like the rumble of a 1967 Camaro to him. He loved music, having grown up in a musical family. He taught himself to play the mandolin – gospel, bluegrass and country. But Jim had a rebel spirit so he kept his Beatles, Kinks, and Beach Boys collection on "the down-low" as a teenager. Dora will always remember him playing "Dream, dream, dream for her as they harmonized".

Preceding Jim in death are his parents James & Dorothy Yates, in-laws T. Lynn & Loretta Dawson, siblings Shirley & Edward (Bull) Fisher, and Bonnie & best friend Raymond Mitchell.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, and children & grandchildren. Three sisters Geneva (Roger) Pennington of Viche, Patricia Wilson of Herman, and Brenda (Ronnie) Pennington of Mountain View and one brother Billy Joe Yates of Dixon, MO. Jim will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews and friends who will mourn his passing.

Visitation: Tuesday, March 18th at 10 AM

Funeral Services will follow at 1 PM at McSpadden Funeral Home, Bunker, MO

Minister: Pastor Terry Sharpe

Burial: Mitchell Cemetery (P Highway), Bunker, MO

Pallbearers: Rowdy Yates w/Ryker, Jon McLean w/Nolan & Nash, Craig Fisher, Casey Jones, Gregg Tarvid, and Dan Dement

Honorary Pallbearers: His nephews, Scott Johnson, Donnie Barton, old buddies and pards from the mines.

Arrangements by McSpadden Funeral Home, Bunker, MO