Jimmy Franklin Yates

Jimmy Franklin Yates, husband of Helen and father of Theresa, passed away February 18, 2022. He was 84 years old and married to the love of his life for 63 years He lived life vivaciously and with passion. The bright light of hope that he shared inspired so many.

From co-founding Happiness is Camping, a camp for cancer children, in Blairstown, NJ, to helping young men achieve their dreams of becoming race car drivers, Jim was an inspiration to all he came in touch with.

Jim was a force in racing on many levels. It was his passion. Not only did he build race cars and run successful race team but was a part of the American Three-Quarter Midget Racing Association, Great American Truck Racing, Pocono Raceway and CART Indy cars. He took 18-year-old Joseph Mattioli under his wing and allowed him to race his number 27 three quarter midget. The late NASCAR driving star, Tim Richmond, would never have found his way in NASCAR without Jim's help. In the racing community, lifelong friends included Dr. Rose and Dr. Joe Mattioli, owners of Pocono Raceway, Tony Holman owner of Indianapolis Speedway and race car driver Mario Andretti to name a few.

He spent 30 years as a surveyor in New Jersey, creating structures of all kinds, including the lower portion of the George Washington Bridge, and was a business representative in the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825.

In 1992 he retired and moved to Sarasota, FL with his wife Helen. There he met new friends and enjoyed fishing often. He became the President of Siesta Harbor, the Condominium Association where they resided.

He danced the night away with his wife and friends, cooked Brunswick stew in his cast iron pot and told his daughter there was nothing she couldn't do. He taught her to work on cars, hunt, tend to a garden, and be a force to be reckoned with. Jim and his wife loved to visit with their daughter on her horse farm, helping with farm chores and even going to horse shows. He particularly liked mowing on her Gravely ZTR lawn mower, he said it was fast with a big smile on his face.

Jim had a great sense of humor and always had people laughing. He knew how to light up a room. Now gone, but never forgotten.

Jim is survived by his wife Helen, his daughter Theresa, sister Peggy Kutsmeda and Macy Marnon and brother Nicholas Yates. He leaves many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF) or Cure Alzheimer's Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tallahasse for the Yates family.