Jim's service will be Live Streamed at St John Riverton on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-0Jn79UEQXf7wNrT2MdXxQ
A Celebration of Life for James “Jim” Yager, 77, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church followed by a lunch reception at the Reach Club House. Memorials may be made to Help for Health Hospice, CWC Theater Department or Special Olympics (Riverton area) in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main St., Riverton, WY 82501.
Jim passed away peacefully at the Help for Health Hospice Home after a long, valiant battle with colorectal cancer on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Jim was born on April 14, 1948 to Perry Alexander Yager and Helen Gertrude (Hayes) Yager in Cheboygan, Michigan, the fifth of seven children. He grew up in Mackinaw City, on the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. He considered himself lucky to have been raised in such a wonderful environment. It had everything a young man who was active in the outdoors and sports would ever want.
Jim graduated from Mackinaw City High School in 1966, where he excelled at basketball. He set several records which still stand today. In 2017, he was inducted into the athletic Hall of Fame. Jim went on to play basketball at Alpena Community College and Central Michigan University. He received his bachelor of science degree from Michigan State University in 1970. He was married and divorced. Karly and James were born to this union.
His love for the outdoors, nature, the mountains and hunting led the way west, first to South Dakota and eventually to teaching science in Gillette, Wyoming.
In 1977, he met Julie Wonka, who was also a teacher. They were married August 19, 1978 in Moose, WY at the Chapel of Transfiguration. They spent three wonderful summers in Jackson while Jim worked for the Game and Fish.
In 1979, they moved to Riverton where they continued their teaching careers. Jim taught environmental and biological science at both middle school and high school in Shoshoni, WY. He initiated the use of Teton Science School for students in the early 1980’s. He was instrumental in the development of the Shoshoni and Regional Science Fairs for many years. He was named Outstanding Teacher in 1987. Jim believed in experiential education, which included “hands on” and outdoor learning. Jim always worked to engage his students while making science fun. Jim coached basketball, wrestling and track during his career.
Jim, the “iconic mountain man” was passionate about big game hunting, archery and spending time in the mountains, which he loved and respected. Whether he was hunting in the Wyoming mountains, or the wooded forests in Michigan, he was in his happy place. He especially cherished his mountain hiking, camping and hunting adventures with children, Jessica, James, Karly and Jordan, and bison hunting with Julie and later Jessica. These were truly once in a lifetime experiences. He instilled the love of the outdoors in each of them. He also enjoyed deep sea fishing, traveling to his beloved hometown of Mackinaw, antler art, sports, reading, laughing and spending time with his family and friends. He was a master woodworker who loved being in his shop. He tackled each project, whether big or small with skill and determination. He was a perfectionist when it came to his woodworking…and everything else. He also enjoyed helping to create “something unique” for the Special Olympic dinner auctions. He was a big man with a big heart.
Jim retired after 34 years from teaching. He was co-founder of the Wind River Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a member of the Presbyterian Church, National Teachers of the Sea, and a Special Olympics Riverton volunteer.
Mr. Yager was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Perry and sister, Jackie.
Survivors include his wife, Julie Yager; children, Karly (Mark) Smith, James (Sara) Yager, Jessica (Erik) Hollaway and Jordan Yager. Grandchildren, Emily, Rebecca, Wyatt, Kwynn, Scot, Lilli, Cameron and Nathian. Great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; his siblings, Janelle (Eric) Bancroft, Judy Pallagi, Jane Boyke and Mike Yager and many wonderful friends.
Online condolences for Jim’s family may be made at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.
Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments of Riverton, Wyoming.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Dr. Seuss