Member Feature: John & Sharlene Yacks

Shortly after John and Sharlene Yacks moved to Tucson in 1977, John was at a local food store, and saw a man doing something a bit unusual – picking up various foods and, behind the store, loading them into his vehicle.  Not at all shy when it comes to strangers, John struck up a conversation with the man, and found out that he was a Pentecostal preacher, and had a regular practice of collecting food that the store allowed him to have, and distributing it to people in need.  The preacher asked John if he wanted to do it, and John said, “Yeah.”

The rest is history, as for over 30 years he and Sharlene, his wife of 53 years, have been doing their own weekly routes, first in Tucson, and then in Marana when they moved here in 1991.  They started by helping Karl Jackson, a former member of our church who has passed away; and took over when Karl was unable to keep going.  Rain or shine, healthy or ill, “the Bread Man,” as he is known, delivers every Tuesday (with food donated by Safeway on Ina and Oracle), and now on Saturdays as well (with food donated by Fry’s on Tangerine).  Commissioned by the Avra Valley Fire Department, and in partnership with the Tucson and Marana Food Banks and our church, they serve about 55 families, many with children, in the Avra Valley area.

Though he gets most of the praise from the public, John is quick to say that he couldn’t do it without Sharlene.  The two met in grade school in Bay City, Michigan.  Their families knew each other.  John and some of his friends, when they were in elementary school, would help Sharlene’s dad string fishing nets.  They were married soon after Sharlene finished high school.  John, one year older, had quit high school to go to work in a factory, but in the early 1970s decided to pursue his degree, which he earned in 1974.  He was inspired by Sharlene, and also wanted to get it done before his oldest son Gerald graduated.

John and Sharlene have had four children, and have 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  Their oldest, Gerald, lives in Hawaii with his family.  Mike and Cheri live in the Tucson area with their families.  Their youngest, Jeffery, passed away a year ago in October, greatly missed by the whole family.

The couple has been involved in a number of businesses.  Currently, they own and manage just one housing complex with 7 rental spaces, though through the years they have owned 33 various properties.  Sharlene, who was a nationally certified ceramics teacher, ran ceramic shops with John in both Michigan and Arizona, with customers from Old Tucson, the Grand Canyon, and various Native American reservations.

John and Sharlene bring a smile and helpful spirit wherever they go, feeding people not just with bread, but also with the love of the Lord shining through them – a blessing to their family, our church, and our community.