James Gary "Yogi" Wilkerson

James Gary “Yogi” Wilkerson, of Covington, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the age of 72. Yogi was a lifelong resident of Newton County. He had a special love for his hometown of Porterdale where he had many fond memories of growing up in the mill village, making lasting friendships, and fishing on the Yellow River. An article about Porterdale in Atlanta Magazine once referred to him as the “Resident Historian”. Yogi was a member of Julia A. Porter United Methodist Church and retired from Madison Industries as a Transportation Manager. He was a 1967 graduate of Newton County High School, where he played basketball and football, and was recognized for many outstanding individual achievements. Yogi was also a well-known umpire in the community for youth and high school baseball, as well as two Dixie Boys World Series held here in Newton County in 1993 and 1995, which led him to be a District Director for the Dixie Boys. During the ’70s he played men’s softball, most notably The Stars, as well as many others, and was inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame as a player in 2016. Yogi was a sports fanatic and especially loved Georgia football and the Atlanta Braves. In addition, he was an avid golfer, playing every weekend and several days during the week, no matter rain or shine! Yogi adored his grandchildren and enjoyed their visits and participating in their sporting events. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Ryan Digby; parents, Ellison Raymond and Sara Katherine Wilkerson; sister, Virginia Owen; and brother, Lanier Patterson.

Survivors include his loving wife, Jean Wilkerson; daughters, Crystal Wilkerson Digby (Brian), Heather Henry; grandchildren, Jackson Watts, Aubri Digby, Megan Hallock, Chandler Hallock, Makenzie Grant; brother, Mickey Wilkerson (Sandra); as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service for Yogi will be held Thursday, August 4, 2022, 1:00 P.M., at Julia A. Porter United Methodist Church, 3 Cotton Street, in Porterdale, with Pastor Jim Moore officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family Wednesday, August 3, from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, in Covington. Flowers are accepted, or donations may be made to Friends of Porterdale, Inc., 1500 River Cove Road, Social Circle, GA 30025, or to the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org/ .