Jimmy Yates

YATES, Jimmy H., of Hendersonville passed away Monday, April 10, 2006 at the age of 71. Preceded in death by his children: Pamela Jean and Christopher Yates. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Kathy Ann Yates, sons Jimmy Carley Yates, Curtis M. Fox and Todd H. Fox and brother Coston Yates. A few of the people Jimmy Yates worked with in Nashville include: Stonewall Jackson 1977-1978 & The Minute Men: Russell Williford, Turp Jackson and Bobby Borchers. In 1977 while in Clearwater Florida, Jimmy found out about a steel job opening with Stonewall Jackson on the Grand Ole Opry! He took the job and moved the family to Nashville. Little Jimmy Dickens 1978-1980 & The Country Boys: Bobby Rich, Roger Dale Linsey and Mark Rogers. Jimmy ran into Little Jimmy Dickens at the Opry. Jimmy and Kathy first met him in February of 1975. They had worked back to back in a club in Laramie, Wyoming. He had his eye on a job with Little Jimmy from the beginning and was very glad when Little Jimmy hired him. Kathy and Mona Dickens became friends, and they spent time together while both Jimmy's were on the road. He was in a lot of package shows with Little Jimmy on the Grand Ole Opry every Friday and Saturday night they were in town. He got to play the Superdome in Pontiac, Michigan and lots of other big shows. Jimmy was also in a PBS documentary about Little Jimmy called "Country Diary". Jimmy has said his time with Little Jimmy Dickens was one of the highlights of his career. Jean Shepard 1980-1984 & The Second Fiddles: Benny Birchfield, Jimmy Johnston, Roger Guffie, Bill Ryan, J.T. Corenfloss, B.J. Wright, Eddie Payne and Jim Whittaker. Jimmy's love of building and flying Radio Control Airplanes is well known. When he started flying them in Nashville, he ran into Benny Birchfield. Benny had seen him building an airplane years earlier at the "Bigger N' Dallas Club" in Lubbock, Texas, when Jimmy and Kathy were on the road. Jean Shepard was playing there. They renewed their acquaintance, started flying together, and when a steel man was needed, Jimmy was hired. They cut an album while he was with them. They also worked overseas in Ireland, Scotland, and England. Box Car Willie was on the same overseas tour with them. They were there over a month and saw a lot of people and places. At http://www.jimmyyates.com you can view a detailed history in pictures and text. Funeral service will be 1pm, Wednesday, April 12, at Hendersonville Funeral Home with Dr. Larry Gilmore officiating. Honorary pallbearers: Members of the Grand Ole Opry. Interment will be in Clearwater Cemetery in Clearwater, Florida. In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations should be made to College Heights Baptist Church.
HENDERSONVILLE MEMORY GARDENS & FUNERAL HOME 353 JOHNNY CASH PARKWAY; HENDERSONVILLE, TN. 37075 615 824-3855 www.harpethhills.com