Jim Yearsley was an ex-cowboy and cattle breeder who retired from chasing cows most of his adult life to pursue a life long dream.
Jim said he had the idea for Cow Camp Catering for a long time. However, the opportunity to start did not present itself until the fall of 2002. When his youngest son Jed was turning 16 and his oldest son Levi was entering the U.S. Marine Corp. boot camp, Jim decided to have a dutch oven dinner for the both of them. He and his boys invited friends and relatives to celebrate the occasion. This event turned out to be a real success, so he took the bull by the horns and went to work putting a business plan together and created Cow Camp Catering.
Jim got together with Alan Christensen of the Small Business Development Center and two women he had worked with in 4-H, May Herring and Shari Thompson. All showed enthusiasm for the challenge and each one brought separate and well needed talents to the project. Jim says that without their help, the business would not have been successful.
Jim’s catering business is actually two different business’ in one. Cow Camp Catering is primarily Dutch Oven oriented. Jim normally cooks outside with his multiple Dutch Ovens placed over hot coals. People can then be served inside or out. Dream Creations is a side business ran by Jim’s wife, Mary, that features custom made gowns and dresses for any and all occasions, with wedding gowns being a specialty.
Jim was born June 13, 1939 in Rexburg, Idaho and was the oldest son of Waldo and Jessie Richardson Yearsley. His first home was a “line shack” on the north side of Mud Lake in Jefferson County, Idaho. After World War II, the family moved to southern California where he finished his schooling in the Bellflower school system. After graduating from Bellflower High School, he went on to Cerritos College in Norwalk, California.
Volunteer service has always been a big part of Jim’s life. During his elementary school years, he worked on paper drives for the Red Cross and March of Dimes. He was elected to student body offices during his junior high and high school years. As Junior Class President, he organized and put on the first Junior Prom to be held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim in the spring of 1957. He spent his Senior year at Bellflower High School as the head Yell Leader, a position and year he greatly enjoyed.
In 1967 he organized his first 4-H club, which included 52 kids, 14 projects and 11 leaders. He worked in 4-H both officially and unofficially for the next 35 years. In 1996 he was elected president of the Sanpete County 4-H advisory council, a position he held until the fall of 2002. During his adult years he has held the office of Lions Club secretary, two separate terms as PTA president, worked on LINKS Council (an organization whose objective is to integrate minorities into white society), Drug Abuse and Child Abuse Prevention Councils, the Sanpete County Fairboard, the Corn Creek Mule Association, Fillmore Old Capitol Days, been a Boy Scout Merit Badge Councilor, and is presently involved with Wag-N-Train, a dog rescue group. Jim has also been involved with calling auctions all over the county. Jim says auctions are an excellent way to raise funds because people have fun at auctions, and so does he. After 20 years of calling auctions, he still looks forward to the next one.
During his years of volunteer service, he has received many awards from 4-H and other community organizations. In the fall of 2002, he received the Point of Light award from Gov. Michael O. Leavitt and the Silver Bowl Award for Sanpete County in 2005 by Gov. Gary Herbert.
Jim believes that there are certain things that have to be in place for a person to have a good and happy life, and these ideas are what keep him going. Jim says, “First, have a Positive Attitude about all things and situations. Know that your glass is half full, not half empty. Next, set Goals. Have something to work towards. People can be like old cars. As long as they are being used they will remain in reasonably good condition. But if they are parked and not used at all, they will deteriorate and rust away. Third, know and understand the Timing to best initiate, implement, and complete your goals. Bad timing can finish a project before it can even begin. Lastly, you must always keep a Good Sense of Humor. Don’t take yourself too seriously. There are enough people out there who are legends in their own minds and (unfortunately) are in trouble and don’t know it. Looking on the bright side can get you through some pretty tough situations.”
Awards & Recognition:
#88 Point of Light Award for Volunteer Service- 2002
