James Herbert Yates
James Herbert Yates “Jim” passed peacefully in his sleep Sunday July 9, 2023 in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Jim was born January 12, 1938 in Charleston, West Virginia. At ten years of age, he moved with his family to Dickinson, Texas, where he graduated from Dickinson High School and met and fell in love with Carol Fredericksen.
After Jim and Carol were married in 1957, they moved to El Paso where he served in the US Army and attended Texas Western College. His military career, in which he served twice due to the Berlin Crisis, also took them to Leesville, Louisiana. Jim always knew, however, that Dickinson was home, so they ultimately returned there to raise their four boys.
After Jim and Carol moved back to Dickinson, he began his lifelong sales career in instrumentation for the process control industry working for several national and international firms before starting his own successful company, Yates & Associates.
As a classic car enthusiast Jim could often be seen cruising around town in one of his many classic cars and trucks he refurbished and owned over the years. Carol and Jim looked forward to the Concours d’ Elegance auto event held at Pebble Beach, California which they attended for many years. They also frequented the Keels & Wheels Concours d’ Elegance in Seabrook where they showed many of their classic cars. Jim also acted as a judge for several of those years. Additionally, Jim loved dogs and enjoyed countless furry and loving friends over his life.
Jim was an avid gun collector focusing on historically significant antique pieces that he treasured and would happily spend hours sharing the history of each piece with you. Particularly, he was an authority on the highly collectible Colt single action Army pistol. While he was an avid reader with an ever-expanding library including a broad and diverse range of subjects, he primarily focused on America’s involvement in warfare and even traced his ancestry to the Army of Northern Virginia in the Civil War and the 7th Cavalry at Little Big Horn.
Jim is preceded in death by his father, Herbert Agnew Yates and his mother Rosemary, as well as brothers David and Wayne Yates.
He is survived by his wife Carol, sons Jeff (Alice), Brian (Joanna), Murphy and Stephen, his beloved grandchildren Veronica Yates Bullock (Trevor), Sawyer Yates (Celene), Katie and Cullen Yates as well as great-grandchildren Hayden Yates and Jason Bullock and sister Rebecca James. He also leaves behind his dear springer spaniel Shelly and his favorite cat JP. Additionally, we extend a special and heartfelt thanks to Dawn Pardue for her kind care of Jim in his final weeks and hours.
A celebratory memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday August 12th at 2 PM at Crowder Funeral home in League City, Texas.
Dear Mrs. Yates, Jeff, Brian, Murphy, Stephen and family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss of Mr. Yates. I remember many fun times and much laughter at the big, historic home on Dickinson Bayou. Jim and Carol were always so welcoming. Mr. Yates was friendly, with a warm personality and plenty of jokes and stories. He always sincerely asked how things were going, and intently listened to your reply.
May all of you relish the good memories of many decades spent together. May Mr. Yates rest in peace.
God Bless,
Chris Molloy
Dear Carol and Jeff, Brian, Murphy and Stephen,
My deepest sympathies for your recent loss. I recall my first encounter with our new neighbors in February 1965 when we moved into our new home in Dickinson where our home shared a big back yard with the Yates family. As a 6-year old it was a particular adventure to ride in a refurbished car with a rumble seat where Jeff and I sat as Jim drove us around the neighborhood. Jim had the kind of personality that made people feel at ease. He was always helpful and personable and genuinely concerned with his children’s happiness, along with their friends. One memory that sticks in my mind is Jim’s infectious laughter, the kind that made you want to laugh along with him. We will all miss that, but we are all richer having known and interacted with him.
I truly hope the family is able to combine their grief in his passing with the knowledge that he brought joy to those around him.
Sincerely and from the heart,
David Jeffers
Dear Carol and Jeff, Brian, Murphy and Stephen,
Please accept my deepest sympathies on your recent loss. I remember meeting Jim in February of 1965 when we moved in our new home in Dickinson which shared a back yard with the Yates family. A memory that sticks in my mind was when Jim drove us around the neighborhood in a refurbished Model A. Jeff and I got to sit in the rumble seat and I thought it was an exceptional experience. Jim had a passion for cars which lasted for most of his life.
Jim had the kind of personality that made people feel at ease and often shared an infectious laugh that made you want to laugh along with him. He was a personable and helpful neighbor and friend. I believe all who knew him and interacted with him were richer for having done so. I truly hope the family is able to combine their grief at his passing with the knowledge that his was a life well lived.
Most sincerely,
David Jeffers
Dear Jeff you and your family have my deepest condolences and God be with you all
Dear Carol, Jeff, Brian, Murphy, Stephen and family
I wanted to pass on Loraine and my condolences and sympathy at Jim’s passing. I have warm memories of Jim assisting me on my 55 Chevy, and of being welcomed and made to feel a part of the Yates clan.
Jim was a remarkable man and will be missed by many
Greg and Loraine Phillips
Dear Yates Family,
Many condolences and sympathy on Jim’s passing! He was such a kind man and a great neighbor. A few years ago, my mother fell in the yard when he was walking his dog. He called an ambulance and stayed with her until it came. I frequently met him while walking, when we would catch up on each other’s family news. I was sad to see the family move away. Best wishes to his whole family!
Dear Brian and Jo – It would be such an understatement to say your Dad truly loved you and you loved him right back! I can recall the many, many times you’d talk about just how lucky, and blessed, you felt to be his son. He always stood by you as you followed your dreams and he always celebrated your wins.
The Lord works in Wondrous ways and for you to have him in your lives for so many years was His Wondrous gift to you.
I’ll be honored to attend the celebration of his life. Love to you both. Marty