We lost a true friend

[cart7t]

Gawd..  I just saw this.   :'(   He called me a couple months ago to see what I was up to since I don't post often anymore.

Generous guy with his stuff, information and himself.  He will be missed.  RIP Jack and I'll pray for your family. 

[Glenn]

Crap. This is really bugging me right now. Reminded me of my buddy Roger.

Same here.  Reminds me of my close friend Larry Gonczy, who was an amazing angler, a true friend, and even wrote a few articles for this site.  He even died the same way.

I just don't understand why the good folks seem to pass on while they're still in their prime.  It doesn't seem right.

[grimlin]

God saw you getting tired,

And a cure was not to be,

So he put his arms around you,

And whispered come with me,

With tearful eyes we watched you,

And saw you pass away,

Although we loved you dearly,

We could not make you stay,

A heart of gold stopped beating,

Two smiling eyes layed to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best,

A thousand times we needed you,

A thousand times we cried,

If love alone could have saved you,

You never would have died,

A heart of gold stopped beating,

Hard working hands laid to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

[Tin]

Crap. This is really bugging me right now. Reminded me of my buddy Roger.

Same here. Reminds me of my close friend Larry Gonczy, who was an amazing angler, a true friend, and even wrote a few articles for this site. He even died the same way.

I just don't understand why the good folks seem to pass on while they're still in their prime. It doesn't seem right.

Been on my mind as well. Didn't he have the older Skeeter that he redid with the amazing wrap?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Yeah Mike, that was one he did.

[Sfritr]

I have been thinking of Jack's passing and cannot shake it from my thoughts.  Like many of you I never met him personally but corresponded online a few times.  I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and I am taking this as a sign.  I called my wife tonight, told her I loved her along with my son.  I have been away from them for over 6 months. 

I cannot tell you how overjoyed I will be to see them in 6 days when they come to close on our new house

Once again, Jack has taught me something....   Thanks Jack

[RoLo]

As many times as I've encountered this harsh reality,

I'm always blind-sided by the passing of a colleague.

It's yet another reminder of how fragile life really is.

"Do It Now!"

Roger

[brushhoggin]

we miss you Jack!

[Bassn Blvd]

R.I.P. my fellow fisherman and give them bass hell in heaven.

[Red]

Very sad, I did not know the man personally. However, he did help me out several times on BR over the years.  He once offered to mail me, at no cost, a life vest, as I was slowly getting all the things I needed to make my boat lake ready. I will dedicate my next trip to the lake to him.

R.I.P. Jack!

[Long Mike]

I spoke with Jack's wife (I can't bring myself to say "widow") this evening and let her know how well respected he was among the members on this site.  She wasn't aware of BassResource, but promised that she would log on to read this thread.  I believe that she will be very pleasantly surprised to learn how good a man her husband really was.  Oh, how I'm going to miss you, Jack.

[eyedabassman]

BAD, Bad news! He is fishing in a better place! :'(

[Big Tom]

This will be a lesser forum without him. I didn't know him personally but he was a hell of a man to talk to on here.

[srv1990]

Very sad news... Rest in peace Mr. Yates, and prayers to your family.

[firefightn15]

For those who would like to express on-line condolences to the family:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=147951000

[justbass]

R.I.P. jack :'(

he was definetly a straight shooter and he was always willing to share his expertise and time and i believe we could all take a lesson in civility from him.

[Md]

I think we should make this thread a sticky. This man contributed so much to this forum and his memory and knowledge should be known to everyone who visits this site.

I completly agree with Tin. His contribution to this site can't be measured. R.I.P. Jack

[fishfordollarsdaughter]

Hello - a friend of my Dad suggested I log on and read all the wonderful comments that were left about my dad on this site. I knew that he was logged in often and talking to other fisherman online; however, I had no idea how much he contributed to this forum. He was a wonderful man and knew so much about fishing. I know as many of you stated he will be fishing from heaven and looking down on us. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers for our family during this time. It was so nice reading all of your messages on here and to truly know that other people felt the way we did about him.

-Amy

[preach4bass]

Thanks Amy.  You don't know how much your post means to us all.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

The obituary that Brian posted is the first time I ever saw what Jack looked like.

I don't know if anyone else sees it, but to me he bears an uncanny resemblance to a younger-looking, less weathered Muddy (Dominick).

Thinking of you still Jack.

Wayne

[Catt]

Thanks Amy. You don't know how much your post means to us all.

Merci Beau Coup 

[Tin]

Amy,

Your dad was a great man and as you can see he really had an impact all over the country and touched so many lives. He is one of the most knowledgeable fishermen I have ever met and was always willing to help and give information. Giving out secrets and tips may not seem like much but in today's world with the competitive level of the sport, it was.

I never got to meet him but did chat with him quite often. I was very saddened to hear of his passing and went to post a PM he sent me a while back about enjoying life, not getting caught up in things, and being over-competitive. Sadly I realized that I had deleted my entire PM Box the night prior to Catt informing us of your fathers' passing. None-the-less, your father was always full of wisdom and words of how to enjoy life. His ideas and knowledge will live on through the many lives he impacted here on Bassresource.

He will be missed.

Mike

[Catt]

registered member #30650 fishfordollarsdaughter 

[Bassn Blvd]

The obituary that Brian posted is the first time I ever saw what Jack looked like.

I don't know if anyone else sees it, but to me he bears an uncanny resemblance to a younger-looking, less weathered Muddy (Dominick).

Thinking of you still Jack.

Wayne

OMG, Jack is going to pee on you from heaven for that statement. ;D

Actually, I thought he resembled George Bush.

[Bassn Blvd]

Amy,

Are you a fisherman too?  If not, then this site would be a great place to start.  We'd love to have you on board.

Doug.