James “Jim” Yates

James “Jim” Yates

Submitted by: Marc McKinley, Danny Dimambro

Jim started with field trial dogs in the 1980’s with German Wirehaired Pointers. He was very active in the local and national clubs for Wirehairs and at the same time supported the GSP clubs in Michigan. in the late 1990’s he started running German Shorthair pointers. Jim had a love for the All Age dog. His relentless search for the best prospect was based on watching the dog’s application and desire and not looking at their pedigree. It was based on their independence, gait, and style and staunchness on point. Results of this approach were National and Regional Champion all age dogs, including NC JimKath’s Sin City Siren. You knew when a dog with “JimKath” prefix came to the line that you were going to see a strong running and honest dog that Jim had a hand in selecting and training. His knowledge of dogs also made him a desirable scout. His ability to know how dogs ran and where they could be found added to his ability to get them in the right spot to show well for the handler. Jim’s eye for a talented dog showed in his endless requests to judge. He sat in the judge’s seat for the German Shorthair Nationals both AKC and American Field, endless AF Regional Championships, wild bird trials out west and NGSPA Pheasant Championships in the east. His reputation carried over to other breeds by being asked to judge multiple National and Regional Championships for AF, AKC Pointers, Setters, Weimaraners, Brittany’s, Vizsla’s, Wirehaired Pointers, and German Pointing Dogs. But he did his share out of the saddle as well. He was an NGSPA board member and served on the Region 4 and 13 boards, serving as chairman of the Region 4 and 13 Championships and Great Lakes Championship. He also belonged to the Lansing GSP and GSP of MI local clubs and chaired their trials. Jim Yates was one of a kind, who did everything for others and the good of the dog and sport. If he was not planting birds, scouting or judging, he was riding just to watch good bird dogs. It was truly a passion and a love that was part of who he was. The example he set for others and the legacy he left behind cannot be replaced.