James A. Yoakum, 81, Kingston, Missouri, passed away on May 23, 2012, at the Heartland Regional Hospital, St. Joseph, Mo.

James was born on November 28, 1930, in Kingston, Mo., to James and Ada White Yoakum. He had graduated from the Kingston High School and had attended the University of Missouri-Columbia.

James served our country in the Air Force from 1952-1955. He had retired as a mechanic from TWA in Kansas City.

On October 2, 1954, he married Patricia Harbridge in Hanworth, England. She preceded him in death in 2005. James was also preceded by his parents and a granddaughter.

James was an avid and diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan who was constantly listening to their games on the radio and keeping a record of their stats. He was also a fan of Mizzou, enjoyed reading, and was a member of the Bowling League in Hamilton as well as a member of the TBPA.

Survivors: Son, Dennis Yoakum, Kingston; Daughter, Cathy Hagedorn, Kingston; 5 grandchildren; and two sisters, Norma Zaniewski, Green Field, Wisconsin, and Billie Pringle, Columbia, Mo.

Graveside Service and Interment: 11 a.m., Saturday, May 26, at the Kingston Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m., on Friday, May 25, at Bram Funeral Home, Hamilton.