Dr. John Yates, 83 of Murray died at his home on Christmas Day 2025. He was the son of the late Frank and Dixie Yates of Mayfield.

John graduated from Mayfield High School in 1960, where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also very active in sports playing football, basketball, and baseball. He was recruited by Murray State coach, Johnny Reagan, to play baseball where he was a four-year letter winner and a member of three OVC championship teams. He graduated from MSU in May 1964 with a degree in mathematics and teacher education. He also completed four years of ROTC and upon graduation, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army as an artillery officer. During his two years of active duty he spent 15 months at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and in October 1965, his unit was deployed to Vietnam. He was released from active duty and returned home in July 1966. During his military career he received numerous awards including the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Aircraft Crewman's Badge.

After returning from Vietnam, John enrolled in a graduate program at Murray State and received his MS in Education in August 1967. While a graduate student, he met the love of his life, Myra Pulley, of Dover, Tennessee and they were married in August 1967. During that time he was offered a position as Coordinator of Men's Residence Halls at Murray State and spent a 45 year career in various faculty and administrative positions at the University including Dean of Men, Director of the Ft. Campbell Campus, and Dean of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach. He retired from the University in 2012 after 45 years of service. In addition to his degrees from Murray State, John earned an Ed.D. degree in Higher Education Administration from then Memphis State University in 1977. He was also active professionally in the International Association of Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) and served as president of ACHE South and a member of the board of directors of the international association where he received a number of awards.

John was a long-time member of Murray First United Methodist Church where he served on numerous leadership committees. He also served as an usher for the traditional worship service.

He served on the City of Murray Cable Commission for 16 years, the last eight as Chair. He was a long-time member of the Murray Rotary Club and the Murray Country Club where he played golf regularly with a group affectionally known as "The Professors". He was an avid Racer fan and regularly attended football, basketball, and baseball games and supported the programs with his time and financial resources.

Those preceding him in death include his parents and a brother, Frank Yates.

Left to cherish many wonderful memories include his loving wife, Myra Yates of Murray; his son, Todd Yates of Arkansas; Leigh Ann Kurtz (Don) of Smyrna, TN; two brothers, Terry Yates (Yvonne) of Mayfield, KY, Rick Yates (Maria) of Frankfort, KY; grandchildren, Hayden Kurtz, Veronica Yates, Dara Gross and great grandchildren, Gillian and Sophia.

A memorial service will be held at 12 pm on Monday, December 29, 2025 at the Heritage Chapel of Imes Funeral Home, 1804 Highway 121 Bypass North, Murray. Jeff Rudy and Jim Stahler will officiate.

His family welcomes visitors from 10 am until 12 pm on Monday at the Heritage Chapel.