Ronald James Yates

1944 - 2011

Ronald James Yates, 66, of Pontiac, died Saturday, April 23, 2011, at 11:23 p.m., at his residence.
Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church in Pontiac, with the Rev. Lucia Oerter officiating. Cremation rites were accorded after the services and inurment was held at South Side Cemetery in Pontiac. Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac was in charge of arrangements. Memorials in Ron's name may be left to the Pontiac District 90 Education Foundation.
Ron was born Dec. 3, 1944, in Waukegan, a son of Arthur and Lucille (Bowden) Yates. He married Jane Shrader on Aug. 3, 1968, in Galesburg.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Yates of Pontiac; two daughters, Cheryl Corrigan of Pontiac and Stephanie (Mike) Dotson of Bloomington; and four grandchildren, Maggie Melvin, Liam Melvin, Hunter Dotson and Claire Corrigan. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Yates graduated from Jacksonville High School; he attended the University of Wisconsin and received his B.S. from Bradley University. He received his Master's in Education Administration from the University of Illinois – Springfield and his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Illinois State University. He had taught at the Springfield Public School District, was high school principal at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro and was Superintendent at Ford Central Community District. He was the Superintendent for 19 years at Pontiac Township High School District 90 and was the Associate Professor of Education Administration at Illinois State University.
Ronald was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pontiac. He was a member of the Illinois Association of School Administrators and served as the state wide president of this organization from 1995-1996. He was also a member of the American Association of School Administrators, St. James Hospital Foundation, where he was chairperson from 1998-2000; the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, where he was chairperson from 1991-1992; the Pontiac Rotary Club, where he was president from 1990-1991; the United Way of Pontiac, where he was an Annual Campaign Co-Chair; the Pontiac Elks Lodge, where he was a trustee; and the Pontiac Masonic Lodge.
He was an avid golfer and fisherman. He loved to travel with his wife and make his yearly fishing trips to Canada. He loved watching the Chicago Bears, Illini basketball and football, the St. Louis Cardinals and, of course, golf. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their various hockey, basketball, football and volleyball games. He strongly believed that the true measure of one's life is not the beginning or the end, but what you do with "the dash," the time in between.
This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.martin-funeralhomes.com.