James Dale “Jim” Yoder

James Dale “Jim” Yoder, 80, passed away Feb. 25, 2025.

He grew up in Quick City on the Yoder farm, a child of James Levi and Beverly Maxine (Newman) Yoder, with his brother William Gale “Bill” Yoder.

He graduated from Holden High School in 1963.

Jim was fascinated with trains and railroads from an early age and set off into the world, earning his Civil Engineering degree from Mizzou and getting a job he always wanted: working for Frisco. He spent the most enjoyable parts of his career outside, checking rail, leading his crews, and making sure everything was safe.

Later, he took to the classroom, leading training efforts at the creation of the National Academy of Railroad Services.
He served honorably in the Army Corps of Engineers during Vietnam.

Jim married Shirley Mae Meadows in the mid-1970s who brought her daughter Jennifer Marie Ward into his life. In 1978 Joshua Levi Yoder was born to them. They divorced in the 1990s, and Jim continued raising Joshua and maintained a strong relationship with Jennifer.

He never stopped being a fantastic dad and discovered even more joy when he became a grandfather to Eleanor Maxine Yoder in 2017. She immediately had him wrapped around her little finger and he lit up whenever she entered a room.
Jim was also close to Joshua’s wife Jennifer Poeschl.

Jim was a gifted musician, trying his hand at a variety of instruments, starting with a bugle. But when he discovered stringed instruments, he shined. He had the gift of being able to play by ear. Many nights, he’d take a guitar or banjo and sit outside, enjoying the evening air and the music. Many of those nights were spent with his kids, chatting, talking about life, and showing them that life is about moments and not money.

His love of music lives on in Jennifer and Joshua, who both learned to play all kinds of instruments.

He shared a passion for railroading with his friend Charles Childs. With his photography skills he took photos of trains and the tracks they ran on.

Later in life, he enjoyed using Google Earth to find the exact locations of train photos.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bill.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers you honor him by having a gathering of friends and/or family and enjoying the time together, perhaps break out a guitar while you’re at it.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Campbell-Cast Funeral Home, a Stewart Family Company, and online condolences may be made to the family at www.castfuneral home.com