James Yates

Jimmy Yates, 49, of Waco passed away Saturday, February 24, 2007 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, February 27th, at 1:30 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Jimmy Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, February 26th, at 5 – 7 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. He attended Midway schools and Riecher High School. He enjoyed playing baseball from Little League through Riecher. He attended Sam Houston State University. He was a sales representative for Schwaab Inc. for many years. Jimmy loved life. He was an avid sportsman and like his mentor and grandfather, Virgil Walker, spent many happy hours at Oak Lake Fishing Club – fishing, hunting, and cooking. Jimmy’s son Grady and daughter Haley learned to love the outdoors just as he did. He was preceded in death by his father, James M. Yates; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Grady Yates and Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Walker; and his uncle, Braz Walker. Survivors include his children, Haley and Grady Yates; his mother, Alice Walker Bidelspach and husband, Bill Bidelspach; sister, Sandra Hamblin of Lexington, Kentucky and her children, Rachel Black, Walker Hamblin, and Rebekah Hamblin; sister Katharine Curry and her daughter Laurin Potts and husband, David, and their infant daughter Makenna Nicole; sister Alice Petrich and husband, Ed, and daughters Taylor and Allison; sister Lisa Bidelspach of Houston; sister Lauri Goss and husband, David, and daughters Ashley and Sarah; uncle Joe Brooks; and cousin Dan Brooks and wife, Trecia, of Marietta, Georgia. Honorary pallbearers are Laurin Potts, David Potts, Steve Hurtado, Ben Torrance, Daryl McCulloch, Randy Mullins, Bob McFatridge, and Bill Nelson. The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Ofobuike Okani for his caring and kindness. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to Hillcrest Hospice for their wonderful care. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701, Hillcrest Hospice or Community Cancer Association, 3000 Herring Ave., Waco, TX 76708, or a charity of choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey