Sisters ODOT worker memorialized in state capitol ceremony

On Monday, April 26, a memorial plaque was unveiled in the State Capitol to honor James "Mike" Yankey, 60, of Sisters who lost his life while working for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Yankey's daughter, Jessica Yankey, attended the ceremony in front of the transportation building in Salem, along with relatives of two other ODOT employees who died in the line of duty within the past year.

Yankey was killed in an accident on November 30 while repairing a snowplow at the Santiam Junction maintenance station. He went to work for ODOT in February 2009, after a career in the Navy Seabees.

Pipe Major Paul Bridgehouse led off the ceremony with a solemn tribute on bagpipes, before ODOT Director Matt Garrett welcomed the crowd. A reverent biography of Mike Yankey, written by his co-workers, was read by District Manager

Jana Lee.

Yankey was described as "a builder, a family man and a man strong in his faith... known for his easygoing, happy work style." His crew appreciated that Yankey whistled while he worked, encouraged and inspired them.

"Mike enjoyed working in the snow and took pride in making the roads safe for people driving over the Santiam Pass," read their tribute.

Next a bell was rung, signifying that the fallen men had completed their last shift and gone home. The stone memorial plaque was then unveiled, set into the concrete plaza that fronts the building on Capitol Avenue, as the bagpipes played "Amazing Grace."

Three orange safety cones sat neatly in a row behind the new plaque, symbolizing the men being honored. Adorning the plaque are three names including Yankey's, bringing the total number of ODOT workers commemorated in this way to 76 since 1939.

The other two newly inscribed names are those of Paul Ewers, 55, of Mosier, who died January 16 after falling from I-84 into a gap between the eastbound and westbound lanes; and Jeff Lewis, 44, of Gresham, who died last August of complications from a required surgery after removing debris from the Interstate Bridge that carries I-5 across the Columbia River.

The memorial was originally dedicated on September 27, 2000, by then-Governor John Kitzhaber and then-Director Grace Crunican, and was paid for entirely by employee and retiree contributions.

At Monday's service, Garrett said "I pray that we never have to add another name after today."

A number of Yankey's co-workers attended the ceremony, some standing quietly next to a parked service truck. Atop the truck was a flashing highway sign bearing the words "We remember."

"ODOT did a terrific job," said Jessica Yankey. "I was touched to hear the bio of my dad. It amazed me that his co-workers knew him so well."

Jessica Yankey honors her father's example by giving generously to the Sisters community. She volunteers time working with high school kids, on top of a part-time job and new business venture. An avid horsewoman, Yankey offers boarding, training and riding lessons, as well as parties and events through her business, Southern Magnolias.

Mike Yankey's wife Phyllis recently moved from Sisters, along with her son Aaron, to Wake Forest, North Carolina, to be closer to another daughter and her grandchildren.