James was born on June 21, 1921 to Elmer and Frances (Williams) Youker in Mayfield Township, just south of Monroe Center. As a child, for a few years during the Depression, the Youker family lived in Manton, MI but later returned to their farm in Monroe Center. He was a 1940 graduate of Buckley High School. Jim served his country in WWII in the cavalry of the US Army and military police, being stationed in Germany and Africa. Married to Rita Kreiser at St. Mary's Church of Hannah on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1947. The couple restored a farm house in Monroe Center where they operated a Dairy Farm until 1968 when they moved to Traverse City and Jim went to work for the Concrete Service. Jim was a very accomplished carpenter building a cottage on Duck Lake and their home in the city. In the early 1980's Jim and Rita started spending winters in Zephyrhills, FL where they made many friends. He was an avid reader, very much enjoying Western novels by Louis Lamour and Zane Grey. A lifelong horse lover and enthusiast, Jim was often hired to break in young horses for people. Attended St. Francis Church in Traverse City and was a member of the Traverse City Fraternal Order of Eagles.
James was born on June 21, 1921 to Elmer and Frances (Williams) Youker in Mayfield Township, just south of Monroe Center. As a child, for a few years during the Depression, the Youker family lived in Manton, MI but later returned to their farm in Monroe Center. He was a 1940 graduate of Buckley High School. Jim served his country in WWII in the cavalry of the US Army and military police, being stationed in Germany and Africa. Married to Rita Kreiser at St. Mary's Church of Hannah on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1947. The couple restored a farm house in Monroe Center where they operated a Dairy Farm until 1968 when they moved to Traverse City and Jim went to work for the Concrete Service. Jim was a very accomplished carpenter building a cottage on Duck Lake and their home in the city. In the early 1980's Jim and Rita started spending winters in Zephyrhills, FL where they made many friends. He was an avid reader, very much enjoying Western novels by Louis Lamour and Zane Grey. A lifelong horse lover and enthusiast, Jim was often hired to break in young horses for people. Attended St. Francis Church in Traverse City and was a member of the Traverse City Fraternal Order of Eagles.
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