Mr. James Lyndell Yates' Obituary
James L. Yates, age 73, passed into eternity Thursday morning, August l, 2019, at his home in Norton Shores. He was born November 26, 1945, in Muskegon to Wilton and Wilda (Hardie) Yates. At an early age Jim attended Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church and that association continued for many years, where he served as deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and on various Building Committees. He and Barb later considered Bridge Bible Church their home.
Jim graduated from Muskegon High School in 1963 and then Memphis State University in 1968. He married Barbara Anne Boiley in 1966 and they celebrated 53 years of marriage. Jim held positions in sales at Kaydon Bearing, Seaway Pattern, and retired from J.R. Automation after serving as Vice President of Sales after seven years of what he called his “favorite job ever.”
Jim was disabled due to a fall from a horse in 2006 in Nashville, and lived as a quadriplegic for more than thirteen years. He was well known around Muskegon as he and his wife, Barb, would speak at local schools, Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids and a number of other groups with their message that “Life can change in a minute.” He would tell audiences that there are no accidents, only events. And God knew all about his fall before it happened. As Barb would say, they belonged to a club that no one wanted to join, and those who found themselves in similar circumstances agreed: without believing in a sovereign God, there is no purpose to living like this. Jim used every opportunity, handing out over 700 copies of his “story” to anyone he came in contact with.
Jim was determined to make each day count. He decided that the best thing he and Barb could do would be to devote their lives to their children and grandchildren – to be their cheerleader, their prayer advocate, their counselor and special listener. The phone calls, emails, and messages flew through his computer. Conversations were sometimes daily, hourly. Jim was, unlike many who are not in his situation, always available.
He read over 400 books in 11 years. He was editing two books for friend-authors when God called him home. He was an expert at Dragon Naturally Speaking and Excel. There weren’t enough hours in the day for him to get all his work done.
His resilience made him a favorite at school events as he followed his grandchildren and frequented area restaurants. Thanks to the support of special friends and caregivers, Jim’s health was stable and he and Barb traveled and enjoyed much of what they had pre-fall.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barb; his two daughters, Laurel (Richardo Carrion) and Michelle Yates; five grandchildren, James, Justin, Claire, Brendan and Cameron; a sister, Gail (Duane) Cook of Zeeland, MI. His family was the joy of his life.
A celebration of Jim’s homegoing will take place 3 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2019 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100, with visitation at 2 p.m. Jim’s preference would be to designate gifts to Bridge Bible Church Missions rather than flowers. Share memories with Jim’s family at his online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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