Judge James "Jim" E. Yates III - Statesboro -Judge James (Jim) E. Yates III, 79, died on Sunday, August 27, 2006, at the Ogeechee Area Hospice In-Patient Facility. He had been struggling bravely against lung cancer for several months. Born on March 5th, 1927 in Macon, GA, Judge Yates also lived for several years in Tampa, FL, and New Haven, CT, before returning home to Georgia. He was a 1945 graduate of New Haven High School. A patriot in the truest sense of the word, he joined the United States Navy prior to his 18th birthday, while World War II was still raging. He served an additional seven years in the Naval Reserve following his release from the Active Reserve in June 1946. Throughout his life, Judge Yates carried a heart-felt admiration for the men and women serving in the armed forces of the United States. He served two terms as President of the Savannah Chapter of the U.S. Navy League in addition to serving four years as the Navy League's National Director. Upon his graduation from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta and upon his admission to the State Bar of Georgia in 1951, he embarked upon a remarkable career in the legal profession that spanned more than five decades. His practice was as successful as it was varied. He developed a particular specialization in workers' compensation law, for which he was recognized when Georgia Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed him as an Administrative Law Judge with the State Board of Workers' Compensation in 1985- a position he held for ten years. Following his return to private practice in 1995, Judge Yates decided to continue his judicial service by retaining his status as Judge Pro Tempore in the Recorder's Court of Chatham County. From this vantage point, he presided over 1,008 weddings. He derived a great deal of satisfaction from working with his wife, Helen Jackie, and sharing the secrets of their amazingly close and affectionate relationship with the young couples just embarking on their married lives. For those who knew him, he will always be revered as a generous and compassionate soul. His circle of friends knew no dividing lines based upon ethnicity, gender, age, or socio-economic standing. As a firm believer that justice was right upon which every citizen could lay claim, he gave liberally of his time to ensure that those who could not afford a lawyer would receive access to legal counsel and a fair hearing. His unfailing affection for his pet dachshund Amy inspired a commitment to the cause of ethical treatment for animals. He and his wife routinely rescued injured and abandoned animals. Judge Yates participated actively in the community life of both Savannah and Statesboro. He was a member of both the Bulloch County Bar Association and the Savannah Bar Association. For the latter, he served as a past President, Treasurer, and member of the Executive Committee. Along with his wife, he assisted the alumni outreach efforts of both Georgia Southern University and Statesboro High School. Along the way, he garnered honorary membership in his wife's 1953 graduation class from Statesboro High School, and the 1950-1960's Reunion Group of GSU. He and Helen Jackie were veritable fixtures in the stands at both Georigia Southern University's and Statesboro High School's basketball games. Judge Yates infused music into every facet of his life. As an enthusiastic singer, an avid guitar-player, and an amateur song-writer, he had a song for every occasion and a record collection that could make a recording studio envious. His thirst for adventure guided him in his approach to life. At the age of 64, he again took up flying lessons in order to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a pilot. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading books on military history and composing poetry. Judge Yates was also a man of unshakeable faith in God's mercy. His faith manifested itself in the form of dedicated Bible Study and efforts to commit biblical verses to memory. In his last days- when he was unable to see well enough to read- he took to the practice of reciting his favorite verses quietly to himself as he prepared for his encounter with his God. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Statesboro. The dignity and courage with which Judge Yates lived his life and faced his death shall serve as a shining and lasting example to us all. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Helen Jackie Mikell Yates of Statesboro; a son, Richard Thomas Yates of Charlotte, NC; a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Rick Wright of Huntsville, AL; and a sister, Dr. Rebakah Yates and her husband, Dr. Patrick L. Anders of Peachtree City, GA. Five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home. Graveside services and burial will be held Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Eastside Cemetery with James (Jay) R. Thompson III officiating. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459; or to the charity of donor's choice. Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com . Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home Savannah Morning News August 29, 2006 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at www.savannahnow.com