A True Gentleman...J. Howard Yates, Jr, Esq.

It is harder and harder to find a true gentleman.  I know a lot of people who come close but one person sticks out in my mind, J. Howard, Yates, Jr. (Howard).  He has his office at 42 Broad Street in the historic district.  His family has been a part of Charleston for many generations.  He can be seen walking to the courthouse and all over Charleston.  I don't believe I have ever seen him in a car.

I met Howard a few years ago.  We may have originally met in my brother's law office but I recall it being a chance meeting near his office.  His office is on the same block of Broad as SCBT, Brent's, First Federal, People's Building and Martin Gallery.  That is just a few yards from my old office on Church Street.  He practices Real Estate and Estate Law.

For those of you who know me, I don't know a stranger.  I will stop and talk to anyone.  That is just who I am and probably a large part of why I do this blog.

Anyway, we all grumble about things whether it be our children, our spouse, work, etc.  I rmemeber one day talking to him about being unfulfilled in my career.  He told me that his father had told him years ago, (as best I can recall) "One should always try to find a job that makes you happy.  The way you can tell if you are happy is that you are whistling on your way to work and whistling on your way home."  That stuck with me ever since.

When I was considering changing my career to full-time photographer, I could hear his words in my head.  When I was assembling my web site I included Howard's father's thoughts.  It has become a part of what I am about, being happy.

I have a favorite photo called "House on King Street".  While set up Saturday in the courtyard of Stephen Kasun Gallery on Church Street, Howard came by and was looking through my prints.  He pulled that photo out and said, " my great grand-father lived in this house."  He went on to tell me about the earthquake of 1886 and that had his great grand-father been in his crib at the time of the quake, he would have been killed by falling brick.  His family did not move back into the repaired house but purchased one nearby.

So, now the print has even more meaning to me.  It is attached to someone who I consider to be a friend and a true gentleman.  If you ever run into him on the street, he will greet you with a smile and a firm handshake.  Here is a link to his photo on the Bar Association website:

http://www.charlestonbar.org/CM/UploadedImages/Yates,%20J.%20Howard.JPG

Michael Kaynard is a local photographer who lives in West Ashley.  His photos can be seen at http://kaynardphotography.webs.com.  He can be contacted at mkaynard@gmail.com or 843-412-2299.