James Donald Yager

James D. Yager, Jr. (Jim) (1943-2024), passed away peacefully at home from complications of leukemia on July 14, 2024. He was 80 years old.

Jim was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin and grew up in Milwaukee and Hales Corners WI. He received his bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and his PhD from the University of Connecticut. Jim had a distinguished career in biomedical research and university administration, serving on the faculties of Dartmouth College and Medical School, New York University and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH). His research on liver and breast cancer contributed greatly to the knowledge of the field. Jim held administrative roles as the Associate Director of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth, Director of the Division of Toxicology and the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Johns Hopkins. Jim was a devoted educator and mentored numerous graduate and postgraduate students during his long career. He was also instrumental in the development and implementation of online courses at BSPH. He retired as a Professor Emeritus in 2020.

In addition to his notable career, Jim was an avid reader and had a passion for nature, the mountains, and most especially the water, having been an ardent sailor. He loved traveling, both for work and pleasure, and had the privilege of going to many places around the world, the memories of which he cherished. He was also a marathon runner.

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joanne Zurlo, their two children, Chris (Stephanie Moynihan) and Allison Uzupus (Thomas); his former wife Rosemary Fifield and their son Nicholas (Maria Limon), his sister Vicki Drutowski; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was beloved by all and will be greatly missed.

A memorial will be held at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home, 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075 on Wednesday July 24 from 11am-1pm. The interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the MDS Foundation (mds-foundation.org)