Colonel (ret) Jimmy B. Yancy

Colonel (ret) Jimmy B. Yancy, 83, of Louisville, Kentucky passed away on February 2, 2025. 

He was born to the late Herbert and Mabel Yancy on July 8, 1941 in Sarepta, Mississippi. Upon graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi in May 1963 with a BA in Mathematics, Jim earned a Reserve Commission in the Army as a second Lieutenant. He was a highly decorated officer spending the majority of his career in troop assignments, beginning his career as a Battery Commander at Ft. Baker in Sausalito, California. His assignments included two tours to Vietnam where he served as a General's Aide to Infantry Brigadier General Robert C. Forbes and District Senior Advisor to the Montagnards in the Central Highlands. Unfortunately he was injured during the TET offensive as well as being exposed to Agent Orange which negatively affected his health throughout the years after the war. As an Air Defense Artillery Officer, he completed several assignments at Ft. Bliss, Texas until he was assigned as a Major to a Battalion in Neubrucke, Germany. In 1980, Jim was promoted to Lt. Colonel and selected for Battalion Command of the largest Nike Hercules Missile Battalion in the Army. During his Command, he was responsible for the processing of over 1300 troops from deactivated units in Europe who were sent to Jim's Unit for separation from the Army or reassignment to new units. In the spring of 1983, Colonel Yancy deactivated the last Nike Hercules Battalion in the US Army. He was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington DC as Director of the Army War Room where he was promoted to Colonel. His last assignment in the US Army was as an Advisor to the 100th Division at Bowman Field, Louisville, KY. Jim retired in 1992 and received the highest peacetime US Army Award, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.

He loved woodworking and used his skills to create personalized gifts for his officers and even remodeled the interior of their home. His creativity was almost unlimited and included making and redesigning furniture.

Retirement provided an opportunity for Jim to mentor young men. His faith guided him in this endeavor. If something was needed at his Church, he offered his services. Serving as a Captain of the Usher team, teaching young men to usher, and rewriting the Usher Handbook were all part of his service. He was asked to be on the Deacon Board where he was active for over 10 years. Jim believed in tithing and sowing multiple types of seeds to spread the Word of God around the world. He always strived to serve his Lord.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Pamela G. Moeszinger Yancy; son, Colonel (ret) Scott D. Yancy (USAF) and his wife, Kristine; grandchildren, Caroline Yancy, Andrew Yancy; daughter, Tina L. Yancy Damratoski and her husband, David; grandchildren, Luke Damratoski, and Kate Damratoski. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Mabel Yancy; and his brother, Michael Yancy. 

Visitation will take place from 9:30 am to 11:00 am on Monday, February 10, 2025 at Evangel World Prayer Center, located at 6900 Billtown Rd, Louisville, KY 40299. A service will take place that day at 11:00 am at the church with burial to follow at Crosswater Gardens Cemetery.