We will have a service to celebrate Jim’s life on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 10:00AM at Resthaven Funeral Home Abbey Chapel.
Jimmie Neal Yeats was born on August 20, 1937 in Bridgeport, Texas to Dora Winnell Martin and Alva Judson Yeats.
He spent his early years on a farm in Madill, Oklahoma, a small town north of the Red River. In 1946 his family moved to Fort Worth, and he graduated from North Side High School in 1955.
Jim enrolled at TCU hoping to attain fame and fortune through radio. Those dreams were soon dashed, however, when he misread a script, referring to a beauty salon as a beauty saloon – quite the faux pas for the conservative 50’s. Deciding to make a change, he attended Baylor to continue his education and play baseball.
Jim returned to Fort Worth to marry the love of his life, Evelyon Elaine Whitt, on September 4, 1959. They raised their family in Dallas and celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary just before her death on September 6, 2016.
Never one to give up or let age be an excuse to slow down, he graduated from Texas A&M in May 2004 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. Then after 35 years in real estate, he retired as Chief Appraiser from Somervell County Central Appraisal District. In 2006, Jim and Evelyon moved to Lubbock to be near their children and grandchildren.
Jim loved his family, friends, baseball, fishing, and actively supported his community and church. He was ordained as a deacon in 1968 at Lakeside Baptist Church in Dallas, and was an active member and leader at Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock. His family learned by his example, the meaning of strong character, honesty, and faith as he clearly demonstrated and lived by these values.
Jim was preceded in death by his brother A.J. Yeats.
Survivors include his three daughters, Tamara Meinkoth, Lea Ann Brown, and Angela Currie, six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, his brother David Yeats and sister, Barbara Wade.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18