James M. Yeatts *49

James McKinney Yeatts, a prominent artist, art teacher, and architect from Roanoke, Va., died Aug. 12, 2005, of natural causes.

Yeatts graduated from the University of Virginia and earned a master's in architecture at Princeton before serving as a commended bombardier in World War II. In addition to his architecture practice, he founded the Roanoke Fine Arts Center and taught art at Roanoke and Hollins colleges. His work hangs in public and private collections nationwide, as well as in the Virginia governor's mansion.

Yeatts leaves behind his former wife, Lynn Yeatts Gilhooly, a son, and several grandchildren.