Jesse Thomas Yates passed from our physical presence on June 8,
2020, at the age of 89. Mr. Yates was preceded in death by the love
of his life – his wife Marlyne; his parents, Charles Thomas and
Kathleen Yates; and his son Ernest W. Yates. He is survived by his
son, Tommy A. and wife, Diane D. Yates of O’Fallon, IL, his
grandson, Trevor A. Yates, and his step-granddaughter, DiRon
Jefferson-Hunt.

Mr. Yates served in the US Army in a medical unit during the
Korean War. He earned his BS in Biochemistry from Fisk
University in Tennessee. He returned to his hometown of
Lexington, Kentucky and was employed at the University of
Kentucky before being recruited by Dr. Neal Bricker (one of the
godfathers of Nephrology) to Washington University School of
Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1965-1966. He became the
head research technician in Dr. Bricker’s lab while he was Chief of
Nephrology at Washington University, and remained in that

position under Dr. Saulo Klahr, who succeeded Dr. Bricker as Chief
of Nephrology, until Mr. Yates’ retirement in 1995. In Mr. Yates’
role in the research lab at Washington University, he was involved
in major developments in the study of kidney function in health
and disease. He taught and supervised at least ]ifty fellows in
training in techniques for cutting-edge research. He was fondly
called “Professor” by many of us well after we completed our
training. Though St. Louis became home, Jesse was always a proud
Kentucky Wildcat. He was also a devotee of jazz and big band
music, an interest he shared with his son Tommy.

Jesse, with a frequent smile, quick wit, intelligence and quiet
tenacity, became friends with many who were blessed to meet
him. Special thanks are given for the support of friends Mr. and
Mrs. O. Ray Parks and family, Kevin and Maryanne Dorris, Drs.
Beatriz Porras and Alvaro Ryes, and Lisa Parnell, who was not only
HIS social worker, but also a friend and con]idant.

Jesse donated his body to science. Memorials may be sent to the
Leukemia Foundation or the National Kidney Foundation or
charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held when it is
safe to gather after the pandemic. Mr. Jesse Yates will be missed
by his many friends, colleagues, trainees, and the nurses and care
providers who had the opportunity and pleasure of sharing his
life. Though physically gone, Mr. Jesse Yates will live on in all of us
whom he touched; he left us and the world better by his presence.