John Yokie

Like so many others, I wonder where the years have gone. It has been a good life with lots of love, wonderful family, and precious friends. Life is more serene now as I try to gracefully surrender the things of youth.

I had my own mortgage brokerage business for 18 years, retiring from it in 2009. It was great to be the captain of my own little canoe! It was the epitome of a "small business" - me!

My current endeavors are pursuing an interest in wood working, especially wood walking/hiking sticks and wood walking canes. Re-purposing nature's raw tree branches into a beautiful hiking stick is truly a passion. My favorite woods are diamond willow, aspen, sweet gum wood.

1. To visit Vancouver Island, Canada, a trip planned for summer, 2014. I will spend several days being the apprentice of a master stick carver!

2. To take an inland water way cruise on the east coast.

3. To visit each Presidential Library.

4. To visit Italy

5. To visit the wine country in California

That Frank Sinatra's wonderful song "I did it my way" was the anthem of my life. For that, I am grateful.

That life is so very precious, and worthy to be lived. A true gift from God, to be cherished and to give thanks for.