Anonymous
Bev and Family,
We were sorry to hear from my brother Douglas that Jim was ill prior to his passing. Julie and I made accomodations for Doug and Linda to come and stay with us while being with Jim in the final days while in Hospice care. Doug was one of Jim's best friends. How do I know? Doug brought enough cloths to stay for a month if he had to, to make Jim's time with family and friends as comfortable as possible.
I knew of Doug and Jim's friendship as far back as grade school and high school. They were inseprepable at times and yet would go their owns ways and respect each for it when it was necessary.
The one thing I knew of Jim was he had "Class". I don't mean uppity in your face, look at me I'm the cool guy. I mean he had confidence, dressed well, had a great family he was proud of and spoke well of and always drove a great car. I watched and looked up to my brother Doug and Jim because they treated me decent even though I was younger.
Jim was the kind of guy in High school that would say hi to you in the hallway even though he was a grade ahead of me and didn't even have to bother.
Jim made us proud when he became a master at his craft (auto body) and went to College and taught for all those years the younger generation to gain the skills he had and to become master craftsmen as he was. Jim never held back from his students. He was as good or better than any Professor at Ferris State University. I am sure they missed him after his 33 dedicated years of teaching.
Jim gave me some advice at one time that I will never forget. I speak of him often and tell this story.
I asked Jim to give me a name or two of someone in Muskegon that did auto body work and especially painting that he would recommend that was excellent to perfect in their work. I wanted to finalize several of my antique motorcycles with paint jobs that would look original and be the envy of all the other restorers and motorcyclists in the business and the hobby.
Jim said after a long pause. You will never find a body man or painter that will satisfy you. In order to get the type and quality of work that you want you will have to do the work yourself. I told Jim that I never painted before. Then Jim said: get some books and literature and start out small finishing and painting with a spray can. Learn to pinstripe yourself and paint small objects like motorcycle fenders and the like.
You see, ... he said: everyone paints a little different, some are better than others, and will accept minor and sometimes major flaws in their work. You will notice the flaws in others work and will be disappointed. We all hate to accept imperfect work and then have to pay hard cash money for it. If you paint it yourself you will know what your expectations are, and will accept certain flaws but not others. You will work to the perfection that suits you and keep the flaws that are acceptable. He was right!
I began painting myself and have been self taught in auto/motorcycle body, pin striping and painting. Best advice I ever got from Jim and am thankful for it. He was a wise master craftman.
Anyway,..... Jim was always kind and a good man and we thought he was the greatest.
I am sorry we couldn't make it to the funeral because Julie was ill that morning and I am her caregiver. I had to stay with her. Julie had a stroke when she was 43 and is paralized on the left side. We have taken care of each other for the last 17 years since.
I had to retire on disability 2 1/2 years ago after working 35 years at Sealed Power, SPX, Dana, and Mahle. All these compqany name changes were confusing but provided a wonderful living for us to raise three beautiful children.
I am sorry to be so long winded but what I had to say couldn't be written in a Sympathy card.
We have been praying for Jim since we heard he was sick, and will continue to keep him in our prayers until the day we die. Us "Yeck's" are a family of prayers and never forgetters.
Sincerely,
Jack W. and Julie A. Yeck
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