James Edward Yates

James Edward "Mutt" Yates, 89, lifelong Deming resident went to be with the love of his life and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 19, 2025, after a brief illness.

A memorial will be held at a date to be determined. Cremation has taken place at Baca's Mimbres Crematory.

Mutt was born January 3, 1936, in Deming, New Mexico to Paul and Nora (Stuart) Yates. He lived his entire life within 10 miles of where he was born. He graduated from Deming High School in 1954 and married the love of his life, Aletta (Bishop) Yates on October 7, 1953, during his senior year in High School. He would tell people that it was "narrow-minded" of Aletta to not let him go on his senior trip. When Aletta moved to Deming from Oklahoma and attended Sunshine School, Mutt came up from behind her and put his arm around her neck and she flipped him over her shoulder to the ground, and he got up and told his best friend that "he was gonna' marry that girl someday". Little did he know her 2 older brothers were college wrestlers. They were married for over 66 years at her passing in March of 2020.

He spent his whole life as a farmer in Luna County, where his father and grandfather farmed before him. He was happiest just working in the fields growing cotton, corn, milo, chile, and watermelons and left the "politics" of serving on a lot of boards and committees to others except for his one term as Luna County Farm Bureau President in 1974.

James is survived by his daughter Donna Whitehead of Roswell, son Jay Yates and wife Shelly of Deming, son-in-law Phil Hibner and wife Pat of Deming, 12 grandchildren (Jody, Melanie, Darby, Christalle, Myles, Nick, Jennifer, Kimberly, Jayme, Amber, Ira, and Zay); 25 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his father and mother Paul and Nora; brothers Austin and Albert; sister Nora Ruth; daughter Paula Hibner; and son-in-law Mike Whitehead.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in James's memory be made to the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches, or Bethel Baptist Church Camp Fund. He also always sponsored at least 2 kids to go to summer camp from Bethel where he was a member.