James David Yarbrough
James David Yarbrough passed away De-
born on January 15, 1933, in Stockton, Missouri and adopted by William and Mary Yarbrough. He grew up in Springfield, Missouri where he graduated from Central High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years stationed at Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama where he met the love of his life, Donjette Stewart. They married on June 12, 1954 and celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary two months before her death in 2016.
Jim attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery where he received his Bachelor of Arts. He always said that Huntingdon gave him a fine liberal arts education while also giving him his Bible.
He and Donjette moved to Tuscaloosa where he received his Master's and Ph.D. in biology from The University of Alabama. He was a faculty member in the Biology Department at the University of Alabama.
Jim served at Mississippi State University for 19 years as department chair and professor of zoology and subsequently served as the head of the Division of Structural and Systems Biology in the School of Basic Life Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
From 1989 to 2000, Jim served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Alabama. During his tenure as Dean, he placed special emphasis on quality undergraduate education for Alabama's students culminating in the implementation of the highly innovative Blount Undergraduate Initiative, now named the Blount Scholars Program.
During his long career in academia, Jim loved and mentored many students and positively influenced their futures. He was a valued colleague to many faculty and staff members positively impacting their personal lives and careers.
A man of faith, integrity, intelligence, kindness and grace, Jim was truly a renaissance man. He was a talented musician, a gifted writer, a philosopher, a scientist, a devoted family man, a friend to many, a wise and kind mentor to many young people and above all a Christian who shared his faith.
Jim was predeceased by his wife, Donjette Stewart Yarbrough; his beloved son, David Stewart Yarbrough; his sister, Bertie Ritterhouse; and his parents, Bill and Mary Yarbrough.
Survivors include his daughters, Kathy Yarbrough and Lisa Yarbrough Fowler; son-in-law, Charles Fowler; grandchildren, Tracy Hanserd (Matt), Jocelyn Fowler, Andrew Fowler, Stewart Fowler and Mary Terrell (Chris); great-grandchildren, Ellie, Leah, Parker, Adam Hanserd and Parker Terrell; his loving sister, Janice Ksara; brother-in-law, Edward Ksara; his sister and brother-in-law, Emily and Joseph Gilbert; and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend their love and appreciation to Terralyn Muttuki, the staff of Traditions Way at Capstone Village and Hospice of West Alabama.
In honor of our father, tell a good joke, be kind, impact the future of a young person and tell your family you love them.
Memorials may be made to the James Yarbrough Blount Scholarship, the Yarbrough Biology Scholarship and the Yarbrough Caring Hearts Award at The University of Alabama, Box
A celebration of life service will be 11 a.m.
Methodist Church with Dr. Ken Dunivant and Rev. Dan Kilgore officiating and Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. A committal service
at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Ala.
from 4 to 6 p.m., at the funeral home.
Condolences may be offered at www.heritagechapeltuscaloosa.com.