James Thomas Yates

James Thomas Yates, 84, of 351 Lake Rd., Rockingham, died Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Britthaven of Hamlet. Mr. Yates was born May 24, 1925 in Richmond County, a son of the late John Harrison and Katie Knowles Yates. Mr. Yates was an Eagle Scout, and had served his country in the US Navy during WW II. He was an active member of First Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher and was active in the youth ministry. In 1957 he founded Yates Electric Service and later taught at Richmond Community College for 17 years, where he was instrumental in starting the Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Technologies programs. He enjoyed his time coaching youth baseball with the Yates Hill Hotshots and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Juanita Willoughby Yates, an infant son, brothers, John H. Yates, Jr., and Eldridge Yates and sisters Norma McGuire and Bettie Holland. Surviving are daughters, Debbie Cato and Jerry of Jacksonville, FL, Cathy Hill and husband Danny of Raleigh; son, John Yates and wife Monica of Rockingham; grandchildren, Chris Cato, Kevin Cato, Drew Hill, Ryan Hill, Kaitlyn Yates and Alex Yates; a great grandson, Matthew Cato; brothers Leroy Yates of Rockingham, Bob Yates of Marshville; sisters, Margaret Maples of Charlotte, and Doris Staples of Rockingham. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at First Baptist Church of Rockingham with Rev. Dr. James Nelson officiating. Interment will follow in Richmond County Memorial Park. The family will see friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Friday at Carter Funeral Home and at other times at the home on Lake Road. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 N. Randolph St. , Rockingham, NC 28379.