In Memory of James

In Memory of James 'Jim' Edward Yates

January 23, 1952 - March 22, 2008

Viewing

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Osceola Memory Gardens

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Osceola Memory Gardens

11:00 a.m.

Officiating

Reverend Wayne Tanner

Reverend Raymond 'Runt' Robbins

Reverend Rodney Rowe

Reverend Tim Wilder

Interment

Garden of Devotion

Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery

Kissimmee, Florida

Obituary

James “Jim” Edward Yates, 56, of Kissimmee, FL, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Saturday, March 22, 2008. The son of James Adam and Helen Campbell Yates, Jim was a lifelong resident of Kissimmee and member of a Pioneer Osceola County Family. He was a graduate of Osceola Senior High School Class of 1970 and Polk Community College Class of 1972. He served as a deacon and was a member of Campbell City Baptist Church. He was active in several ministries of the church such as bus driver, a student of Faith Bible Institute, sound technician, nursing home ministry and in helping with various needs around the church. He was an active volunteer in the community through the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show and Fair (KVLS) since October 1996 and the Osceola County 4-H Program. He began and chaired the KVLS citrus tree committee and served as a board member for more than 10 years. He was a former member of Osceola County 4-H and was recognized as Osceola County 4-H Leader of the Year for 2005-06. He began his career in the citrus industry with Ivy Groves, Ltd. and Bowen Brothers and was now employed as production manager with Conoley Fruit Harvesters for the past 19 years. Jim is survived by his wife, of 34 years, Janice Cagle Yates; daughters, Jamie and Martha; his mother, Helen; and his brother, William R. “Randy” Yates. Visitation for family and friends will be 5-8 PM, Tuesday, March 25 at Osceola Memory Gardens Chapel, Kissimmee. Graveside funeral services and interment will be in the Garden of Devotion, Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery, 11 AM, Wednesday, March 26. Those who desire may post a tribute or condolence at www.osceolamemgds.com Arrangements are under the direction of Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery, Funeral Homes and Crematory, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee. 407-847-2494

Below are the letters written to Jim Yates from his daughters that were read at the graveside service.

Daddy,

If I could talk to you again, I would tell you what a great dad you’ve been. From a child, if I upset you, you would eat lemon drops until our hearts were mended. We sat side by side in church, you aggravated me and got me in trouble-but you taught me faithfulness and I made the greatest decision to accept Christ as my Savior. You made sure the first guy that came home was scared-it worked, he never came back. A preacher one time said that little girls want to be like momma’s and you looked at me grinning knowing I was the exception. You were there through every hurt and pain for me-you cried with me when my first cow died and my first broken heart. Even though you won’t be here to walk me down the aisle to my husband to be, I hope he will be like you. You taught me how to play checkers and turkey hunt even though I could never beat you, it was our little competition. By the way, you beat me again-you made it to Heaven first. You were there when I went to college and sat through every award program beaming with pride. I followed in your footsteps not because I had to, but because I wanted to be just like my daddy. I love you!

Your little girl forever,

Jamie, 26

Martha & Jim

Jim & Martha

Yates Family

Janice & Jim

Martha, Jim & Jamie

Daddy,

How do you begin a letter like this? All I want is to be able to talk to you face to face once more. Although this is not a possibility at the moment, I must be patient and wait until I see you again in heaven, but just know it is so difficult now. I want to ask God “Why?” “Why now? Why Daddy?” But then I don’t have to ask God a single question because it was God’s plan for you to be with Him. God allowed you to be with me for 21 years. Although I want to have you around for another 21 years, God obviously needed you more.

From the beginning of my life, you were always there for me. As I look back, I can say that I was proud to call you my dad. There was so much that you did for me. I feel that saying Thank You would never be enough. You gave me so much in this life. You gave me a great Christian home to live in, the opportunity to receive a Christian education, and the opportunity to attend college without any worries. You gave me so much, and I will be forever grateful.

I feel like I wasted most of my life on selfish motives when I could have spent more time with you. However, I know the selfishness changed when I met my Heavenly Father. Once I met the Lord as my Savior, my eyes were opened to the wonderful earthly father that He had given me. My hope is that I can live my life pleasing to the Lord. I want to follow in your footsteps in living a Christian life not only when I am in public but when I am at home as well. I remember you telling me one time that your favorite verse was Matthew 5:44 which says, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.” I can honestly say that you followed this verse well. I think you left a great example for me to follow.

I will never forget the special moments that we have had together. I am so thankful that you and I had the opportunity to go fishing. I enjoyed catching the fish and learning to drive the boat (which I am not sure I ever really mastered), but more importantly I loved spending that time with you. Those are the times that we were able to have father-daughter moments. I also won’t ever forget you teaching me how to drive. You spent hours with me trying to teach me how to park. You saw when I got frustrated, but you were always quick to give a word of encouragement. I also enjoyed growing citrus trees with you every year in 4-H. You taught me so much during those years. I only hope that I can share your love for citrus with 4-Her’s for years to come. Lastly, I remember going to scholarship interviews. I probably asked you a hundred questions, but the best answer that you always gave was just be yourself.

But now that you are gone, please know that there are some things I will find difficult to get through. There are some things in life that dads are just supposed to do. One, Dad is supposed to be the one who asks a million questions when his daughter brings home her first boyfriend. No offense dad, but I don’t think Mom will ever be tough enough to scare the boys away like you did with Jamie. Even worse than that is that dads are suppose to walk their little girls down the aisle to their husband to be. God only knows if I will ever meet the man of dreams, but if I do, I hope he is as Godly, loving, compassionate, and funny as you. Lastly, I will miss you a year from now as I walk across the stage and receive my teaching degree. I know that this moment would have made you proud. You once watched me teach a Sunday School class and commented on how well I did. That moment means more to me now than ever before. While others don’t understand why I want to teach, I know that you would have always stood by my decision.

So you see Daddy, I could ask God a million questions why, but I would rather thank Him for the wonderful Dad that I had. You gave me so much, and I love you for that. I know that God has a plan and purpose for taking you home with Him, when I feel like I desperately need you here.

Until we meet in heaven, I will do my best to be the strong one who gives a shoulder for Mom and Jamie to cry on. I will keep “our” truck in the best shape that I possibly can. I will continue to grow into the Christian young lady that you raised me to be.

I love you and will miss you.

‘Til we meet again,

Martha, 21

Martha, Jim, Janice and Jamie Yates

December 1, 2007