It's with a deep sense of loss that I write today of the loss of longtime friend and mentor Jackie Yeldell.
I first met Jackie years ago when working as a young board operator at KEDM. His charming southern manners, cheerful smile and friendly demeanor made him friends with anyone he met -- even me, as the college kid in the back room running the radio board for a fundraiser.
Through the years, we always loved having Jackie in the studio. His love of KEDM was obvious every time he opened his mouth. On the air when you introduced Jackie, he'd pipe in with a cheery "Hello everybody!" with a grin that said he loved helping. Jackie was remarkable in the way he could translate your love for listening into making a donation to KEDM out of a sense of civic duty, even civic pride.
Hello everybody! - Jackie's favorite greeting on the air
When we asked him to come on air, he'd agree, but reluctantly. "Well, I'll come if you really want me. I don't know if anyone really wants to hear little ole me." Once he was in the studio, though, the very first time he opened his mouth, the phones would light up; and the shifts he worked became top dollar fundraisers over and over again.
Jackie's wisdom, though, was in finest form during our work on the KEDM Community Advisory Board. Countless times we'd hear, "Well, if you look at it another way..." or "Well, as I see it..." And you know what? He'd be right. His ability to see the big picture was enormously helpful in crafting the community service of the station we enjoy today.
Jackie was much more than just a nice man. Or a great board member. His legacy is his deep care for the betterment of northeast Louisiana. He loved others, and he lived his life in a way that showed it.
And that's the best memory we can have.
Jay Curtis
KEDM General Manager
Here is Jackie's obituary, reprinted with the permission of Cox Funeral Homes in Bastrop.
James Edwards Yeldell, died on Saturday, June 23, 2018, following a brief illness, at his residence in Monroe, Louisiana. He was born in Bastrop, Louisiana on August 15, 1937, the son of James Ulmer Yeldell and Eloise Edwards Yeldell of Mer Rouge. James E. Yeldell, or Jackie, as most called him, grew up in Mer Rouge. He was an honor student of Mer Rouge High School. He attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He graduated with a degree in liberal arts, and then graduated from the LSU Law School. At LSU, he was a member of a number of honorary campus groups, including Omicron Delta Kappa, and was a recipient of a scholarship for academic achievement in the College of Arts and Sciences. He also was Senior Cadet Colonel of the Air Force and Army ROTC in LSU's Centennial Year. After graduation, he served as an officer in the Army for two years. Following military service, he founded the law firm of Rankin, Yeldell, and Katz, on December 2, 1963. Jackie primarily did real estate and probate work, but also served as Assistant District Attorney from 1966 to 1982. After retiring from the District Attorney's Office, he continued to practice law in Bastrop, specializing in real estate and estates. He also was a title agent for two title companies. From the beginning, Jackie was active in civic affairs. He was president of the United Fund, and an officer of the Chamber of Commerce. He served two terms as President of the Little Theatre of Monroe, and was a long time board member. He as a founding member of the Mental Health Society of Morehouse Parish, and served for many years as its co-president. He also was a founder and long time officer of the Northeast Louisiana Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, which established two halfway houses for recovering substance abuse dependents. He also worked on regional mental health issues, including several district area commissions. He was a founder of Legal Aid and a long time board member. This organization continues to provide legal services to indigent persons. He was active for many years in KEDM Public Radio, and still served on its board, and served ten terms as its president. He was active in the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, and served as president of that organization for three terms. He also was on the board of the Kalorama Nature Preserve. He was on on the board of the Manship School of Mass Communication at LSU, and was on the board of Louisiana Public Broadcasting in Baton Rouge. He also was a board member of the LSU Press in Baton Rouge. He had worked for over twenty years with the SOS Committee, which led to improvements in the public schools of Morehouse Parish, and increased pay for school personnel, including support workers such as cafeteria workers and custodians. Some of the honors he received were The Guthrie award from the Monroe Symphony, two special awards for KEDM Public Radio, a nominee for an award for contributions to the arts, and a special award from the Social Workers Club in our area. The law firm he founded has been honored by the Louisiana State Bar Association for outstanding work in the pro-bono field, which provides legal services to the poor for no fee, and the firm was honored by the Business and Professional Women's Club as Employer of the Year. Jackie was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bastrop. He also served numerous terms on the Board of Deacons of the church, including ten terms as Chairman of the board. He was now active in Northminister Church of Monroe, and was on the governing board of that church, known as the Co-Ordinating Council and served as its chair for two terms. He also served on the Arts Commission of the church, and was a member of the Pastor Search Committee. Jackie had long been interested in banking. He served more than 25 years on the board of the Bank of Morehouse. He was chairman of the board when the bank was acquired by Premier Bank, which became Bank One. He also was a board member of the Heritage Financial Corporation of Ruston. He had most recently been a member of the board of directors of Ouachita Independent Bank, which was based in Monroe. Jackie was married to Dorothy Ellen Robinson of Rayville. They made their home in Monroe. Jackie was the father of a daughter, Leigh Anna Yeldell. He has one granddaughter, Brittany Leigh Long Norris, and one great grandson, Asa James Norris. His granddaughter, Brittany, was an honor graduate of Louisiana Tech. He is also survived by one brother, John Michael Yeldell, and by one nephew and three nieces, who are James Michael (Jay) Yeldell, Sarah Lee Yeldell, Susan Yeldell Moore, and Lindsay Yeldell Procell. He had three first cousins, who are Penelope (Penny) Sims, Don Madison Sims, and Elizabeth Barham Wagner. Penny predeased Jackie, dying in May 2017. He is also survived by close friend of more than fifty years duration, Paulette C. Cappel of Monroe. If anyone desires to make a memorial, please favor KEDM Public Radio, 250 Stubbs Hall, ULM , Monroe, LA 71209 or the Morehouse Parish Public Library, 524 East Madison Street, Bastrop, LA 71220, or the Morehouse Humane Society, P.O. Box 26, Mer Rouge, LA 71261, or the charity of one's choice. A memorial service celebrating the life of Jackie Yeldell will be held at Northminister Church, 2701 Lamy Lane, Monroe, Louisiana on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 11:00 o'clock A.M. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Cox Funeral Home of Bastrop, Louisiana.
