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James Mates Obituary

"> James F. Mates
James F. Mates, 52, of Whitehall, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2008. He was a loving husband to Sheri A. (Mohr) Mates for 26 years in October. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late James E. and Geraldine (Fischer) Mates. James owned and operated Matt-n-Az Auto Sales and was a former owner of the Carlisle Grill. He enjoyed golfing with his buddies and taking trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. He had a great sense of humor and always made everyone smile. James loved his family and friends and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Survivors: He will be sadly missed by his entire family. Wife, Sheri Mates; children, Ashley wife of Jarrad Muller of Northampton; Austin Mates at home; granddaughter, Audrey Muller; sisters, Brenda wife of Rick Langham of Hartselle, Ala., Lynn Mates wife of Leo Green of Allentown. He was predeceased by a daughter Brittni. Services: A viewing will be held 3-6 p.m. Sunday and 9-10 a.m. Monday with a Funeral to follow at 10 a.m., all at Kohut Funeral Home Inc., 950 N Front St. Allentown, 18102. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Wescosville. Online condolences can be made at www.KohutFuneralHome.com.

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Published by Morning Call on Mar. 14, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for James Mates

Sponsored by the azar family, you are forever in our hearts.

Not sure what to say?





Carl Danweber

April 13, 2024

I sure miss your smiling face Jim!
Always thinking about you
Carl

April 12, 2024

happy birthday in heaven
miss and love you
xo
the azar family

.

April 12, 2024

happy birthday in heaven
xo
love and miss you
the azar family

xo

April 12, 2023

happy birthday
we love and miss you
the azar family

.

March 12, 2023

xoxo

xoxo

November 24, 2022

we are thankful for you
love and miss you
the azars

.

April 12, 2022

happy birthday in heaven
we miss and love you
the azar family
xoxo

.

March 12, 2022

xoxo

the Azars

December 25, 2021

Merry Christmas in Heaven.
Miss and love you.
xoxo

the azars

November 25, 2021

happy thanksgiving in heaven
we are thankful for you
miss and love you
xoxo

April 13, 2021

happy belated birthday
miss and love you
♥ the azars

March 12, 2021


xoxo

esther

December 25, 2020

it's Christmas time in the city...
miss and love you.
♥ the azar family
xoxo

November 26, 2020

happy thanksgiving in heaven
we love you and we miss you
the azar family
xoxo

Esther Azar

April 12, 2020

happy birthday to you!
we love you and we miss you!

Esther Azar

March 12, 2020


We miss you!
xo
the azar family

Esther Azar

December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas in Heaven.
We love and miss you.
xoxo

December 24, 2019

merry Christmas eve
we miss and love you!
xoxo
the azars

Esther Azar

November 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving.
We love and miss you.
The Azar family
xoxo

Esther Azar

April 12, 2019

happy birthday jimmy mates!

The Azar Family

March 12, 2019


xoxo

Esther Azar

December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas in Heaven.
We love you and we miss you and we wish you were here!
❤ xoxo

Azar Family

November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving in heaven.
We love and miss you!
xoxo

Esther Azar

April 12, 2018

today is your birthday...
happy birthday jimmy mates.
kisses and hugs on your birthday and
every day!
xoxo
love,
the azar family

The Azar Family

March 12, 2018

xoxo

esther azar

December 25, 2017

Merry Christmas in heaven.
Love and miss you.
xoxo

Esther Azar

April 12, 2017

happy birthday jimmy mates...
we love you and we miss you❣
the azar family

Tammy & doug

March 13, 2017

Think about you and Georgie so often. So many good memories. Doug lights up every time he talks about the crazy things you guys did. Miss you always.

Esther Azar

March 12, 2017

❤ missing you... today and every day ❣
We love you.
The Azar family
xoxo

January 1, 2017

Jim,
Happy New Year in Heaven! Another year without you and my heart can't break anymore than it already has. Missing you more than ever and praying every day that you know how much I love you. Please continue to watch over our family in the new year. I need you so much. This life is so hard without you, but I'm doing the best I can for all of us. But as you can see it doesn't get any easier. I love you and miss you more than ever!!! Always on my mind and forever in my heart!

Love Always,
Sheri

Esther Azar

December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas in Heaven.
We miss you!
xoxo

Esther Azar

December 24, 2016

thinking of you....today and always.

Esther Azar

November 24, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving in Heaven❣
xoxo❤

Esther Azar

April 12, 2016

Happy birthday Jimmy Mates!
You are in our hearts and in our thoughts every day.
We love you and we miss you!
The Azar family
Xoxo

Esther Azar

March 12, 2016

We miss you....today and everyday!
Love, hugs, and kisses.
The Azar family.
xoxo

March 12, 2016

Cannot believe it's been 8 years Jim. I miss you and love you with all of my heart! I think of you every single day and remember our life together like it was just yesterday! Then it makes me so sad to know that part of my life is over, and has been for 8 years. My days with you were simply the BEST! You filled my life with so much love and excitement. Every day with you was always an adventure, even if we were just sitting at home watching TV. Miss your sense of humor and goofiness. So glad that you enjoyed life to the fullest and always chose the more fun, exciting path to most everything. Please, please continue to watch over me and our family. We need your guidance and protection always!!

Love Always,
Sheri

esther azar

January 1, 2016

happy new year in heaven.
love and miss you.
esther
xoxo

December 26, 2015

Merry Christmas Jim! Love you and miss you more and more with each passing day! I think of you constantly and am thankful to you for all the beautiful memories, which remind me of the wonderful life we shared.

I can't say it enough how much I love you and I miss you. Please continue to watch over our family. In this coming new year I will need your guidance more than ever. I trust that you will be there for me and our family.

Love
Sheri

esther azar

December 25, 2015

merry christmas in heaven!
xoxo

esther azar

December 24, 2015

we love you and we miss you and we wish you were here!
sleep in heavenly peace....

esther azar

April 12, 2015

Happy Birthday in Heaven.
We love you and we miss you for always!
Xoxo
The Azar family

esther azar

March 12, 2015

we miss you today and for forever...we love you for always!
xoxo
the azar family

December 26, 2014

Merry Christmas Jim!! I cannot believe this is our 7th Christmas without you. They say time heals everything. That is such a lie. I miss you more and more with each passing day. Never thought I could miss someone so much as I do you. Without you my holidays are not the same, as is, my entire life is not the same. I want to be happy again. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy to have our family, children, and grandchildren with me every day. If it wasn't for them I don't know what I would do or where I would be. The love I have for all of them is a totally different love than what you and I had. And with all of my heart I miss sharing my life and love with you. Each day that we were together you added such love, joy, laughter, security, comfort, fun,…….and so much more to my life. I am so thankful to have shared all of that with you. I MISS AND LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART. Always did and always will, Forever! In less than a week, a new year, without you, will begin yet a again. I hope and pray that 2015 will be kind to all of our family and friends. Please, please, please continue to watch over us and always guide me to make the right decisions. Because each day in this life of mine there is always some sort of decision I must make that will affect me and our family. Making these decisions on my own is not only scary, but stressful. So, please stay by my side…..I need you in my life, ALWAYS!!!!!! I trusted you then, and I trust you still.

Love Always,
Sheri <3

esther azar

December 25, 2014

merry christmas in heaven...
we love you and we miss you!

esther azar

December 20, 2014

thinking about you and the awesome christmas party that would be going on right now!
i wish like crazy that you were here!
love and miss you so, so much!
esther
xoxo

Esther Azar

November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!
Miss you so much.
The Azar family
Xoxo

esther azar

April 12, 2014

happy birthday jimmy mates!
we love you and we miss you so much...and we wish you were here!
xoxo
the azar family

April 12, 2014

Happy Birthday Jim! I know you are with us every day, I only wish it was like it use to be. Life has changed so much since you've been gone. Some good, some not so good. I wish we could be together…. As you can see I need you here with me. Well, I could go on and on. I love you with my whole heart. Miss you!

Love,
Sheri

esther azar

March 12, 2014

hey jimmy mates,
we love you and we miss you...yesterday, today, tomorrow, and always!!
xoxo
the azar family

March 12, 2014

Missing my big brother so much - today and always

Christine Gechas

December 26, 2013

Sheri, that was beautiful! Jim is definitely watching over all of you! He has touched so many lives in such a positive way. One day we'll know why he was taken from this earth so early. Until then, his love will always be remembered.

December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas Jim!
It's Christmas morning and I'm sitting here drinking my coffee, listening to Christmas songs (tears flowing down my cheeks). Presents for the kids and grandkids are wrapped and under the tree, and Austin is still sleeping. Can't help but reminisce of Christmas' past when the kids were little. They would be in their rooms asking when they could come out. I'd put on the Christmas music and turn on the lights on the tree. You would be getting the video camera ready. I'm soooooo sad that those days are no more. I know that the kids grow up and lives change. But, you should be here....I miss you so much. I miss the life I had when you were here with me. It was the best part of my life. For 26 years I had the most wonderful life all thanks to you. You were the most loving, caring, person I've ever known. You loved everyone and saw the good in everyone too. Life with you was like Christmas every day. You made every day of my life fun and exciting. And I always felt so safe and secure with you. You always said to me that you were the lucky one. Sorry Jim, but I was definitely the lucky one. Why does someone like you have to leave this earth so young? We had so much more living to do together. So many more memories to be made, not only for us, but for our children and grandchildren.
Please continue to watch over all of us and keep us safe. I love you more than anything in this world and the tears continue to flow for you.

LOVE ALWAYS,
Sheri

esther azar

December 25, 2013

merry christmas...
sleep in heavenly peace.
love and miss you so much!
esther

esther azar

December 21, 2013

hey jimmy,
thinking about what would have been today...the car lot christmas party...oh, the memories!
miss and love you,
the azar family
xoxo

esther azar

November 28, 2013

happy thanksgiving...
we love you and miss you very much!
the azar family
xoxo

esther azar

April 12, 2013

happy birthday jimmy mates!! we miss you so much and we wish you were here...
we love you!
the azar family
xoxo

Naifeh Dergham

March 13, 2013

Thinking of you today is not different from many other days !! Sending Love..Rest peacefully my Dear Friend and keep watching over Sheri , your children , Beautiful Grandchildren and your loving Friends as you have been xoxo

March 12, 2013

Jim,

Love you and miss you more than ever. Think of you all the time.

Five years ago today my life changed forever, and I will always long for the wonderful life we shared together.

As I sit here tonight thinking of you I just find it so unbelievable that it's been five years that you've been gone. So much that you have missed.... so unfair.

I LOVE YOU WITH MY WHOLE HEART!!!
FOREVER & ALWAYS!!!

LOVE,
Sheri

esther azar

March 12, 2013

we think of you every day...
we miss you every day...
we love you always!!
the azar family
xoxo

esther azar

December 25, 2012

merry christmas, jimmy mates...
we love you and we miss you dearly!
sleep in heavenly peace...
xoxo
the azar family

December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas Jim!

I can't believe this is our 5th Christmas without you. I don't know how I am going on without you, but I believe it has a lot to do with our children and grandchildren. I think of you all hours of the day, every day. I miss you so much! I wish you were here to experience the joy that our beautiful grandchildren bring to my life. Can you believe that in a little over a month we will be grandparents of 4 precious little ones. Our 4th grandchild, Autumn, is expected to be born early February. And you would be super proud of Ashley and Austin. Ashley is a wonderful, loving and caring mother. And Austin is excelling in school....he is such a good kid, or I should say "young man". I am so very proud of both.

I love you Jim with all of my heart.

Love Always,
Sheri

esther azar

November 22, 2012

happy thanksgiving...
wish you were here.
miss and love you very much!
xoxo
the azar family

esther azar

April 12, 2012

happy birthday jimmy mates...
we miss you a lot and we wish you were here!
we love you,
the azar family
xoxo

esther azar

March 12, 2012

hey jimmy mates,
we think of you every day...
we love you every day...
we miss you every day...
we wish you were here...every day!
love,
the azar family
xoxo

naifeh dergham

March 12, 2012

Thinking of you today, seems like yesterday that you left us. Watch over your Family as I know you have been doing for the past 4 years. Rest easy my Dear Friend. Say Hi and send my LOVE to Georgie and the rest of my Family.

December 26, 2011

Jim,
Merry Christmas!!
Miss everything about you, especially during the holidays! Some days I'm feeling so lonely without you, like when our grandchildren are not here and the house is so quiet with just Austin and me. Thank God for our children, grandchildren and my sisters....for most days I don't know where I'd be without them.
I Love You Forever and Ever!!!!!

Love Sheri

esther azar

December 25, 2011

hi jimmy mates,
merry christmas!
we miss you so much!
love,
the azars
xoxo

esther azar

November 23, 2011

we are so thankful you are part of our lives! happy thanksgiving...we miss you so much!
love,
the azars
xoxo

April 12, 2011

Happy 56th Birthday Jim,

I Love You so so much and miss you every second. I'm so lost without you in this new life of mine. Wish you were here so that we could celebrate your birthday together. Audrey and Justin each sent a birthday balloon to Pappy in Heaven. I hope you got them.

Love Always,
Sheri

esther azar

April 12, 2011

hey jimmy mates,

happy birthday!
we think of you every day and we miss you so very much!!

love,
the azars
xoxo

March 12, 2011

Jim,
I love you with my whole heart and miss you just the same. You are always on my mind. Especially during the day when I'm alone with our grandchildren, Audrey & Justin...(and now #3 coming along in August). I picture you with them and think about all your love that they will never know (but they will know all about their pappy...cuz I tell them all about you). Ashley & Austin are doing well...I'm a lucky mom and nana to have all of them so close to me. Otherwise it would be a very lonely life. Thank you for watching over us every day these last 3 years. And, please, please continue to keep a watchful eye over all of us. Some days I can feel you right there by my side...I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS :)

I LOVE YOU AND I ALWAYS WILL.

Love, Sheri

esther azar

March 12, 2011

dear jimmy,

thinking of you and your entire family...today...and every day!
we love you and we miss you so very much!

the azars
xoxo

February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day to my Love. I miss you so much. I love you with my whole heart. Memories of you are all around me....and I smile at each and every one of them.

I LOVE YOU!

Love, Sheri

January 2, 2011

Jim,
Happy New Year Sweetheart. Thinking of you all the time....Remembering you with a smile....and Missing you more than ever.

I Love You so much and wish more than anything that you could be here with all of us.

Forever in my heart,

Love Sheri

esther azar

January 1, 2011

happy new year....
love and miss you...so much!

the azars
xoxo

December 27, 2010

Merry Christmas Dad! I love you so much and miss you everyday!

Love, Ashley

December 26, 2010

Jim,
Merry Christmas My Love. Another one without you...and they aren't getting any easier. They never will. Had a wonderful day with the family. But missing you and my mom so very much.

I love you Jim with all of my heart and miss you more than ever.

Always thinking of you.

All My Love,
Sheri

esther azar

December 25, 2010

hi jimmy,
merry christmas...we love you and we miss you very much!
the azars
xoxo

naifeh dergham

December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas DEAR FRIEND !! We miss you very much !!

December 18, 2010

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered come with me. With tearful eyes we watched and saw you pass away. Although we love you dearly we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.God broke our hearts to prove to us he only... takes the best.

naifeh dergham

November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving Dear Friend ! We miss you very much.

Jim and I on our 23rd Anniversary.

October 10, 2010

Dear Jim,
Happy Anniversary sweetheart...on today what would have been our 29th wedding anniversary. Yes, 29 years ago today I married the most wonderful man. Why he can't be here with me today, I will never ever understand. I miss you more and more Jim. And I swear this break in my heart gets bigger every day. No one can see it, but I can sure feel it. And it hurts.

I LOVE YOU!!
Forever,
Sheri

Danny Farrell

September 5, 2010

Dear Dime,
I think of you most often at this time of year...college football starting and nfl football starting....I miss you Jim and the friendship we once shared. :)

September 1, 2010

I wish heaven had a phone, so I could hear your voice again. I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, from which I'll never part.........God has you in his arms I have you in my heart

Danny Farrell

April 13, 2010

Happy Birthday My Friend!!!!! I think of you so often and the good times we had together.....I will cherish those memories forever.... Miss You
Danny

April 12, 2010

Happy Birthday Sweetheart...today would have been your 55th. OMG..so young. I am still thinking of you, missing you, and loving you more than ever. You are always on my mind and always and forever in my heart.

I LOVE YOU Jim. My world was turned upside down 2 years ago and it has continued to stay that way without you. I make the best of each day.

Love Always,
Sheri

esther azar

April 12, 2010

we are lighting a candle for you today...happy birthday, jimmy mates!
we love you and we miss you so much!
the azar family
xoxo

April 4, 2010

Jim,
Happy Easter sweetheart. Today is also Ashley's 25th birthday...wish so much you were here to celebrate it all with us. Spending the day at home with the family. Weather is beautiful today...Audrey had her own little egg hunt in the backyard, while Justin crawled around..it was cute, I'm sure you were watching from above. First time in a very long time we are not going out for dinner..just having ham sandwiches and salads at home this year. Going to visit mom later..she's not doing well, please watch over her. I sure miss the way we spent Easter before...it's just not the same anymore. I miss you Jim so, so much. I will never get used to living without you. I absolutely hate it.

Love Forever,
Sheri

Danny Farrell

March 30, 2010

This time of year I think of Az and Dime the most....March Madness...Miss you guys with all my Heart.....Dano

March 13, 2010

Jim sorry it's a day late BUT I was thinking of you. Reast well MY FRIEND. Till we see each other AGAIN. GOD BLESS YOU ! xoxoxo Naifeh

esther azar

March 12, 2010

dear jimmy,

you are always on our minds...
and forever in our hearts!

we love you and we miss you so much!
keep watching over....

the azar family
xoxo

March 12, 2010

Jim,
So hard for me to believe that it's 2 years ago today when you left us. I mean it when I say that I think of you every single day...I can't stop thinking of you Jim. Some days I just close my eyes and have flashbacks of our life together and how beautiful it was...I can picture it like it was yesterday. And as my eyes open, the tears just flow down my face. I love you so much. I miss everything about you Jim...every single thing. What a wonderful, loving, caring person you were. I'll never understand why you were taken from us so soon...I'll never ever understand it. You are everything I ever wanted or needed and it hurts that you're gone.

All My Love Forever,
Sheri

February 1, 2010

Jim,

Thinking of you today and always. Miss you so much. Wish you were here with me. I Love You.

Love,
Sheri

January 12, 2010

Jim,

I Need You....I Miss You....I Love You!!!

You're always on my mind, you'll always be in my heart.

Love,
Sheri

December 31, 2009

Jim,
Here I sit...another New Year's Eve without you. Just a quiet night at home, Austin and me. As I sit here by the Christmas tree reminiscing back to so many New Year's Eves we spent with each other...getting dressed up (and the scent of your cologne), going to dinner, the parties with friends and even some years that we just stayed home. And of course, can't forget your New Year's Kiss at the stroke of midnight. No matter what we did or where we went, as long as we were together I was happy. I Love You. Tomorrow starts another year already. I pray it's a good one for us all. Miss you Jim, and I Love You Forever. Happy New Year Sweetheart.

Love,
Sheri

December 25, 2009

Hi Jimmy, Merry Christmmas Dear Friend ! I hope you and Georgie are doing well. It is very different her without the two of you but there are 2 Families here that think of you and Georgie EVERY single day. Love Naifeh

esther azar

December 25, 2009

hi jimmy,
merry christmas!
we love you and miss you so much!
the azar family
xoxo

December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas Jim, it's me again...you're always on my mind...especially today. Remember when I said there is a different kind of laughter and joy on Christmas but that I couldn't explain it. Well, the laughter and joy is seeing the smiles on the faces of Ashley, Austin, Audrey, Justin, and also Jarrad...and the excitement in their eyes as they open their presents. But, for me (and I'm sure for all of them too) there is sadness mixed in as well and a big emptiness in our house without you. I miss you Jim...I don't know why people say it gets easier as time goes on...I'm just not there yet. :(

I Love You So, So Much,
Sheri

December 25, 2009

Jim,
Merry Christmas Honey. Our 2nd Christmas without you...so hard to believe. The holidays are not the same since you're gone. Christmas in our house use to be full of laughter and joy when you were here. There is still laughter and joy...but of a different kind (if you can understand that - it's kind of hard to explain). Today the family will be gathered here in our living room as they have done for so many years. Santa has brought lots of presents for our beautiful children and grandchildren. And the only present I want is for you to be here with us...please be here Jim. I love you so, so much. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you, talk to you, and cry for you. I miss you more than anyone will ever know.

Merry Christmas Sweetheart,

All My Love Forever,
Sheri

esther azar

December 24, 2009

hi jimmy,
it's christmas eve and i can't help but think about all the fun we had on all the christmas eves at the grill...
you in your christmas underwear, standing on the island on hanover ave...throwing yourself out the front door...and all the fun you and georgie had behind the bar!!
i miss those days...and i miss you so much!
keep watching over your family...
love,
esther
xoxo

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