James Clarke Yount

We are sad to announce the sudden passing of Jim Yount on December 1st 2014. Born in Vancouver in 1950, Jim was raised in Arrowhead and then Vernon BC, along with his twin sister Penny – Children of Sam and Eleanor. Jim leaves behind his beloved Granddaughter Winnie, daughter Mary, ex-wife Wendy and countless close relatives – Judy, Bernie, Barry, Randy and Rebekah to mention a few. He lived his last number of years in Kaslo, sharing photos and stories of his dear Kootney town with his family and friends. Kaslo was good to Jim and the Yount family would like to sincerely thank and honor those friends of his, who made his life so happy there – you know who you are. 

The following is a piece written by a former colleague, Brian Antonson. 

December the 2nd, 2014

A huge voice in BC broadcasting has been silenced. Reports say Jim Yount passed away suddenly on Sunday evening, November 30th, in Kaslo. He’d faced a number of health challenges in recent years with his usual combination of humour and sarcasm.

Jim started his broadcast career as he’d barely entered his teenage years and his booming voice, housed in a slight physical frame, soon found its place on the air and he became a solid news presence in various newsrooms. He trod the halls in stations in Vernon (CJIB), Kelowna (CKOV and CKIQ), Calgary (CFAC), Salmon Arm (CKXR), Revelstoke (CKCR), and Vancouver (CKNW, CKVN, and CKST. In the mid-80s, Jim was an instructor, then program head, in the Broadcast Journalism Program at BCIT, where he introduced hundreds of students to the industry. For a couple of years after BCIT, he was with the international division of Radio Nederlands.

He left the industry after he returned to Canada, and dabbled in several businesses, finally engaging with “semi-retirement” in Kaslo. He made quite the mark with his observations on community affairs and politics in Kaslo, published and distributed as “The Sidewalk Superintendent”. More recently, Jim was a very proud grandparent, and was planning a trip in January to see his daughter and granddaughter in the eastern U.S. when he passed away.

With a career spanning decades, having touched down in so many markets, and being involved with so many people in local and provincial politics, Jim was well known to many, and one of the true “characters” in our industry. If there is an afterlife, no doubt he’s poured himself a scotch already, and is musing about writing a short tome about his recent experiences for all to share. Rest well, Yount. And as he would often sign off, “Red Network, over and out.”

Celebrations of life will be held in Kaslo & Trout Lake in June. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.