James V Yardley

With tender hearts we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, James V Yardley on March 1, 2026.

Born on January 12, 1947, Jim grew up in Panguitch, Utah, as the oldest grandson on both sides of his family. Surrounded by devoted grandparents, aunts, and uncles, he spent his early years working alongside them on the family farm and ranch. Jim was also one of the first boys in town to receive his Eagle Scout Award. He had everything done except for his swimming merit badge. Finally, after one of the hotels put in a pool, he was able to get his swimming merit badge and complete the requirements for his Eagle Scout award!

As a young man, he faithfully served a mission in Guatemala, laboring in the highlands and learning the K’iche language. Later, while living in Mesa, Arizona, with his young family, a group of faithful saints from those highlands traveled to the Mesa Arizona Temple. Jim had the sacred privilege of sitting with them in the temple as their interpreter. Though most of the men spoke Spanish, many of the women knew only K’iche, and he sat beside them, translating as they received their temple ordinances. It was a tender and remarkable full-circle blessing from his missionary service.

He married his best friend and sweetheart, Claudia Palmer in the St. George Temple on September 12, 1969. He and his beloved wife, Claudia, built a home filled with happiness, faith, music, and laughter. Of all his accomplishments, his greatest joy was being her devoted husband and the father of their five children. He loved the scriptures and taught his children not only to read them, but to love them and apply them to their daily lives.

Jim was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave decades of faithful service. For many years he was a beloved Young Men’s leader and Scoutmaster, shaping the lives of countless young men, and he was honored with the Silver Beaver Award for his exceptional service in the scouting program. He later served as Bishop and, alongside his wife Claudia, as a church service missionary at the Davis County Jail. He cherished the sacred opportunity to serve as a Stake patriarch, even having the privilege of giving patriarchal blessings to several grandchildren.

He was a brilliant engineer with a sharp mind whose creativity and innovation blessed countless lives. Throughout his distinguished career, he developed multiple patented engineering designs and helped pioneer automated guided vehicles used by corporations including Keebler, Kimberly-Clark, General Motors, the Federal Reserve, Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola and Disney World—including being on the team that designed the original Tower of Terror.

He knew how to work hard—and he knew how to play. Whether it was monitoring the night sky through his telescopes and marveling at God’s creations, hiking and camping with his family, cheering at BYU football games, or faithfully gathering everyone for weekly family home evenings, he made family life an adventure.

Though he traveled the world for both work and pleasure, with a brilliant mind that could navigate any city with ease, he never hesitated to drop everything for what mattered most—attending recitals, spending hours patiently working through math homework (for children AND grandchildren), building a towering treehouse, setting up a backyard waterslide or tending his beautiful garden and fruit trees.

To his grandchildren, he was pure magic. He was the grandpa who would push underdogs on the swing for hours, who listened to everything going on in their lives and who made each grandchild feel like they were the most important person in the world.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Claudia; his five children: Jamison (Brenda), Monica (Darrin) Thiriot, Jessica (Justin) Stoddard, Megan and Rachel; and his 13 cherished grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. His legacy of faith, brilliance, kindness, and joy will live on in each of us.

We all adore his legendary “Cowboy Jim” stories—tales full of adventure, courage, and his first horse, April.

We imagine him now tipping his white Stetson hat and riding off once more—farewell, Cowboy Jim! We love you!

Until we meet again.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Centerville North Stake Lakeview Ward, 1461 N. Main Street, Centerville, Utah. An evening viewing will take place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A morning viewing will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.