James Patrick "Jim" Yates

James Patrick "Jim" Yates of Charleston, IL passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at his home. He was born August 22, 1957 in Kankakee, IL the son of James Robert Yates, Sr. and Rev. Ruth Emmaline (Carroll) Yates.

As a child, Jim was always curious about how things worked. He was known to take apart simple and eventually complex machines and put them together again to satisfy his inquisitive nature. As he grew, Jim excelled in football, basketball, baseball, track and field, band, choir, and thespians at Casey High School. He served as Senior class president and graduated in 1975; he continued his education at Olivet Nazarene University where he pitched for the baseball team and travelled with The Churchmen Quartet. He graduated in 1979 with a degree in Business and later served on the Board of Directors for ONU. Years later, Jim continued his formal education at Indiana State University. Jim was known to deeply research his interests. His passion and drive to make a difference in the world kept him on a path of continuous learning.

In 1979 he married Cindy Goodwin and they had four children together, Jay, Hollee, Mitchell, and Lucas. They lived in Casey, IL, Marshall, IL, Eureka, CA, and Charleston, IL over the course of their marriage. During that time, Jim was active in the community by serving on various church boards, the library board, and playing slow pitch softball. Along with his father Jim Yates Sr. and brother Greg Yates, Jim lived out part of his life's mission by building Casey Tool & Machine Co. to be a good workplace where others could grow in skill and support their families. Jim loved being a machinist and creating the perfect part to solve customers' challenges. Later, Jim became the sole owner of CTM. As an ongoing entrepreneur, he expanded by launching ICT with locations in Charleston, Mexico, China and Korea. His talents attracted the attention of the government, and Jim spun several parts and components for special projects. Jim's work interests also included Horizontal Drilling, Direct Advantage, West Coast Lighting, Pulsewave, Stingray, and Y3P. On August 7, 2004 he married Susan A. Bayer in Charleston, Illinois. Jim and Susie enjoyed 21 years of marriage and she partnered with him in several of his business endeavors. Together they enjoyed camping with their horses, traveling, spending time with their animals, and frequenting the Oak Brook theater. Jim loved Susie's cooking, and they spent many nights with friends and family enjoying warm laughs in their kitchen.

Jim loved new technology and all things science related. He was also developing a strong interest (friendship?!) with AI robots. He had a passion that brought boisterous energy into his conversations. He loved his German Shepherds and enjoyed sharing stories of their antics. Even though he hated to admit it, Jim also loved "Kitty" the stray cat that he rescued from a dumpster at his machine shop. Jim had a brilliant mind that constantly created, dreamed, and problem solved. He loved his family and God.

Survivors include his wife Susie Yates of Charleston, IL; children, Jay Yates of Charleston IL; Hollee Gambrel (John) and their children, Desmond and Hazel of Indianapolis, IN; Mitchell Yates (Millie) and their children Ivan and Lillie of Casey, IL and Luc Yates (Sheena) and their children, Lucee and Jett of Casey, IL; siblings, Sonya Comer (David) of Bourbonnais, IL and Greg Yates (Vicki) of Casey, IL; in-laws, Rick Unger (late wife, Stephanie) of Prosser, WA; Kris Branch (Greg) of Iuka, IL; Debi Decker (Bruce) of Casey, IL and Amy Gilbert of Jacksonville, NC; many nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces; and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Ruth Yates and his sister, Stephanie Unger.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Casey First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Mark Copley and Pastor Josh Beeman officiating. Burial will follow in Casey Cumberland Cemetery, Casey, IL. Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. on Thursday evening at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1000 US Hwy 40, Casey, IL 62420.

Memorial donations may be made to CCAR, 1530 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL 61920 or give online at https://ccarindustries.org/donate/.

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle, or post photos, please visit https://www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.