James Harrison Yates

Nimrod Harrison Yates and Mary Hink Yates welcomed Jim to Baltimore, Maryland in 1926. Jim followed Nimmie and Mary, along with brothers Don, Dick, and Bob, throughout Maryland over the years.

Jim and his wife, Missy, graduated together from Sparks High School in 1944. Jim enlisted in the Army Air Corps following graduation and completed his tour of duty, receiving an Honorable Discharge in October of 1946.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Missy Price, in 1948 and enjoyed sixty-four wonderful years of marriage. They had four sons: Jimmy, Tommy, Billy, and Don. Those sons went on to marry and bless them with twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all of whom knew him as “Poppop.”

Jim worked as a salesman at Minneapolis Honeywell until January 1949 at which time Jim joined his Dad and Mom at the helm of N.H. Yates & Co., Inc. The three worked together, moving several times to larger accommodations and increasing the number of employees- over 70 employees at the present time.

Jim became a Charter Member of the Timonium Optimist Club in 1957. Jim continued with his Optimism, working with the youth in football programs, oratorical contests, selling Christmas trees, building new clubs, and adding new members.

Jim was a very active member of Clynmalira United Methodist Church. His presence has been felt on most committees, including serving as Chairman of the Cemetery Committee. Jim traveled to Costa Rica with the Clynmalira Mission team for five years serving as “Chief Cook.”

Jim was a member of the Methodist Board of Child Care, serving on the Building Committee. He was always ready and willing to serve others.

He was a vegetable gardener through and through! His children and grandchildren couldn’t believe there was so much to do! One son remarked, “Dad, I helped plant the peas, I helped water the peas, I helped pick the peas, I helped shell the peas, and I don’t even like peas!”

Jim and Missy enjoyed vacations in Ocean City with their family and ocean cruising with family and friends. Of course, traveling all over the United States and Canada with Optimists and “developing Optimism as a philosophy of life” is definitely the way to go.

Jim was the beloved father of James H. Yates, Jr. and his wife Nancy, Thomas H. Yates and his wife Robin, William H. Yates and his wife Debbie and Donald H. Yates; Dear brother of Donald Yates and his wife Peg, Richard Yates and his wife Marge and Robert Yates and his wife Ruth; Cherished PopPop of Courtney, Jaimie, Mary, Carrie, Matthew, Christine, Tori, Beth, Travis, Maggie, Todd and Jacob; Great grandfather (Pop Pop) of Jamie, Grayson, Cooper, Oscar and Bailey

The family will receive friends in the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc., 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, MD 21093 on Tuesday, February 5 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9PM. A Funeral Service will be celebrated in the Clynmalira United Methodist Church, Old York Road and Stockton Roads, Phoenix, MD 21131 on Wednesday, February 6 at 11AM. Interment in the adjoining cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed in Mr. Yates’ memory to Clynmalira United Methodist Church 2929 Stockton Road, Phoenix, MD 21131 and/or to the Timonium Optimist Foundation, P.O. Box 262, Timonium, MD 21093. A guest book is available at www.lemmonfuneralhome.com