J. M. Yater, 83, of Stanton, died on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, in a Midland hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, January 23, 2004 at the First Baptist Church in Stanton with Rev. David Harp pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Stanton. The family will receive friends Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home. He was born on June 1, 1920, in Colorado City, Texas and married married Willa Jo Petree on June 1, 1979 in Stanton, Texas. J.M. came to Stanton as a small child in 1922 and lived here all of his life. He worked his way thru college and had a Bachelors Degree from Texas A & M University and received his masters degree from Sul Ross State University. He worked in the education field for 45 years and was a teacher and principal in the Stanton Independent School District for 35 years until he retired in 1987. He loved children and had a passion for seeing to their education. He also farmed many years and liked fishing and loved history and enjoyed lapidary. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Stanton, the Masonic Lodge A.F.& A.M. the Stanton Chapter 3409 O.E.S. and the Texas State Teachers Asssociation. Survivors include his wife, Willa Jo Yater of Stanton; one son and daughter-in-law, John and Lisa Yater of Sycamore, Illinois; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nina and Edward Seal of Knoxville, Tennesee and Ann and Jim Shumate of LaGrange, Texas; two step daughters, Pam Hoppe and her husband Ed of Austin, Patti Quinne and her husband Dan of Stanton; his brother and sister-in-law, Carrol and Lyn Yater of Stanton, his sister-in-law, Bobbye Jean Yater of Stanton; 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, John Milton Yater and Nina Gertrude Myrick Yater and his brother, Travis Yater. The family suggests memorials made to the J.M. Yater Scholarship Fund, %First National Bank of Stanton, P.O. Box 10, Stanton, Texas 79782. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
