James Yoro

1953 - 2024

JAMES YORO

October 17, 1953 - September 7, 2024

On September 7, 2024, Jim Yoro took his final rest after battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma to be with his beloved mother and father in eternal spiritual life. On that day, he was with family as he passed peacefully.

Jim Yoro led a life that many would define as "The American Dream." Jim was born on October 17, 1953 in Manila, Philippines to Juliana and Cesario Yoro, the latter a Filipino World War II veteran who served in the United States Army. Jim spent the first four years of his life living in the boarding house his parents ran for medical students attending the University of Santo Tomas. At four, he immigrated to the United States as a U.S. Citizen with his mother to join his father. His father had established himself in the then-small, rural community of Bakersfield, California. Jim had a traditional Catholic upbringing, attending St. Francis elementary and middle school, and Garces Memorial High School. While attending Garces, a teacher suggested Jim take part in the school's mock trial exercises and Jim became enamored with the process. After graduating from Garces, he attended Bakersfield College for one year and then transferred to the University of California, Berkeley after earning an academic scholarship. In 1975, he graduated cum laude with a degree in political science and economics. He obtained his JD from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, then known as Boalt Hall, in 1978.

Upon graduation, Jim returned to Bakersfield and served his community as a lawyer at Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, a non-profit legal aid. After three years of practicing at GBLA, Jim joined a thriving local firm then known as Chain, Younger, Jameson, Lemucchi, Noriega, Cohn and Stiles (what is now known as Chain Cohn Clark). After handling a family law, criminal defense, and personal injury caseload, he found his stride as a worker's compensation attorney and became a Bar Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation law and practiced for over 40 years. Throughout his successful career, Jim tried and won cases at the Superior, Appellate, and Supreme Court levels in California.

Jim always believed in service above all and supported the Bakersfield community in several different capacities. Jim served as the Chairman of the Board of Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance and was a board member for over 15 years. He was on the board of the California Applicant's Attorneys Association, a statewide organization of Workers' Compensation Attorneys dedicated to advancing the interests of injured workers throughout the state. Jim also served as a board member for the Kegley Institute of Ethics and Kern Regional Center. After being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, he even had time to host a community blood drive with Houchin Blood Bank to increase donations during their most critical season.

Out of the courtroom, Jim was an athlete, chef, traveler, and devoted girl dad. You could always find him making the best barbecue ribs or tri-tip (to say nothing of his chocolate chip cookies), playing competitive tennis and basketball, wine tasting on the central coast with his wife, and starring alongside his daughters in local ballet productions with the Bakersfield Ballet Theater. He was also an active member of his local Filipino community, an avid reader, and a connoisseur of good dad jokes.

Jim is survived by his lovely wife of 45 years Reverie, his daughter Carli Yoro and her husband Andrew Snedeker, his daughter Attorney Kelsey Yoro-Bacay and her husband Dr.Vincent Yoro-Bacay, and his grandsons James Yoro-Bacay and Raphael Yoro-Bacay. However there are hundreds more that have known and loved him who have called him Uncle Jim, Manong (older brother/cousin), mentor, advocate, and friend.

The Family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the entire medical staff at Memorial Hospital and Rio Bravo Cancer Center for all their compassionate life saving care.

And most importantly, thank you to all of Jim's relatives (too numerous to mention here) who have helped him and our family not only now but throughout the years and particularly during his treatment. There are not enough words or love in our hearts to convey how meaningful your support has been.

His services include a viewing on September 27th at Greenlawn Southwest from 4-8 PM, Mass on September 28th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 9 AM with a burial service at Greenlawn Southwest afterwards.

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