James Harvey Yager (Konk)

Was born on January 27, 1947, in Alexandria MN. He grew up in a simple time and always had fun with the neighbor kids, knowing he had to be home when the bell rang.

He attended school in Alexandria where he graduated in 1965.  After finishing high school he enlisted in the Navy on December 6, 1965. He went to Vietnam on the USS Garrett County where he was an engine mechanic.  He was honorably discharged on October 18, 1968.   

He worked for several companies in Alexandria and the Twin Cities before he became a long haul trucker.  He bought his first FreightLiner on February 20, 1988 which also happens to be when he married Dawn (Kluck) Yager.  He would go on to buy 3 new FreightLiners for long hauls and finally a 4 short cab FreightLiner for city driving.

He enjoyed woodworking, where he made wood pieces for friends and family. He loved to mow and was adamant about how the lawn should be mowed. In 1999 they bought a motorhome where they spent time at many MN State parks and to Nascar races at Talladega, Chicago, Kansas City, Charlotte and Las Vegas. He loved to talk and meet new people.

His Happy Places were Montana where he enjoyed the beautiful scenery, vastness of the Montana sky and many laughs and stories with friends and relatives; and Webb Lake Resort where he was dubbed the “Mayor” by close friends because he would enjoy meeting the newbies to the park and was always offering and helping people join the community there.

Jim died at home on May 14, 2025, at the age of 78.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents Dona and Jim Yager, sister Robin, brother Calvin (Smorg) Yager, brother-in-law’s Stanley Anderson, Patrick McGregor and Michael Kluck (Janice).

He is survived by his wife Dawn, daughter Tammy Gaspardo (Gus), brother Dale Yager of Alexandria, sisters Crickett (Kathleen) and brother-in-law Ray True of Alexandria, Debra Anderson of Alexandria, Paula McGregor of Alexandria. And Honorary brother Duane Opatril of Hawley, MN.  Grandchildren Samantha Gaspardo, and James Gaspardo (Frankie) of White Bear Lake, MN.  Great Grandchildren John, Theo, and Gus Gaspardo.  Nieces Leah (Chris) Schultz, Bryer McGregor, Dannon (Chris) Lehmkuhl, Cassandra (Aaron) Stubbs, Brittany Anderson, Shawn Krull, Jess (Brady) Gades, and nephews Jeremy Clitty of Alexandria, Chris Kluck of Blaine MN, Matthew (Sarah) Kluck of Champlin MN and many more Great nieces and nephews.

Jim said many times “There are 2 things in life, you are born and then you die, everything in between is what you make of it.” 

A celebration of life/party will be later this summer.