Dr. James "Jimmy" Ennis DeYoung Jr.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8

“Well done my good and faithful servant!” Dr. Jimmy DeYoung surely heard those words as he left his earthly body and entered into the presence of the Lord and Savior that he so fervently served throughout his life.

Jimmy was born in October of 1940 in Miami, FL. To tell the story of the full life that God allowed Jimmy to experience, it seems like you are telling five different life stories. After graduating from Miami High in 1959, he managed to make one of the best decisions of his life by marrying his lifetime companion, Judy. They immediately became a military couple when he joined the Air Force and not long after they became parents when their first son, Jimmy III was born. Jimmy served his country for 4 years and was always proud of his status as a Veteran. His second child, Leslie, was also born during this time.

After leaving the Air Force, Jimmy briefly served in the pastorate before attending Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN to train for his future life in ministry. While at TTU, Jimmy learned from one of his heroes of the faith, Dr Lee Roberson and was also instrumental in founding the WDYN Christian radio station which is still on the air today. Jimmy and Judy welcomed the arrival of their third child, Jodi during this time of their life.

While at TTU, Jimmy was recruited by two men who would later become his mentors and deepest friends, Jack Wyrtzen and Harry Bollback, to join the ministry of Word of Life in Schroon Lake, NY. Jimmy served in many fulfilling roles while at Word of Life including staff evangelist, and director of the WOL Inn. Lifetime friends and partners in ministry were made while the DeYoung family was at Word of Life. Jimmy also ran for US Congress while living in New York and the family welcomed their fourth and final child, Richard into the world.

In 1980, Jimmy moved to New York City where he worked for Salem Communications as the General Manager of the Christian Radio station WNYM. It was during this time that Jimmy first went to Israel and began to develop a relationship with that country and its people that would define so much of his later life.

With their children grown, Jimmy and Judy embarked on yet another great adventure in ministry and moved to Jerusalem, Israel to become missionaries and journalists in 1991. Jimmy, along with John Schmidt and Meno Kalisher, started a local church entitled The Jerusalem Assembly. This church is still active in Israel with Meno as its pastor and it is still committed to evangelism and proper biblical teaching. Jimmy also served as a journalist in Israel reporting from the land to many christian outlets including weekly appearances on Moody Radio.

God allowed Jimmy to have another great opportunity to serve when he joined Mart DeHann as the Bible Teachers on the Day of Discovery Television program. Jimmy and Mart taught in hundreds of episodes from what he called the Bible lands (Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey). These programs focused on teaching biblical truths from the lands where the bible was written and they were a blessing to many.

After living in Israel for over 20 years, Jimmy and Judy relocated to their current home in Chattanooga, TN where Jimmy founded the ministry of Prophecy Today. Prophecy Today is a ministry that is dedicated to educating the Christian community on the soon return of Jesus Christ and encouraging Christians to prepare for this event by sharing the gospel.

In the years of Prophecy Today radio over 1000 programs went out and Jimmy and Judy had ministry in thousands of locations around the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James DeYoung Sr and Katherine Eula DeYoung of Miami, FL., father in law, Robert Lee Varble and mother in law, Gladys Mildred Varble DeYoung of Tallahassee FL.

Dr. DeYoung is survived by his wife and faithful companion of 61 years, Judy Ann DeYoung; son James DeYoung III and his wife Jill of San Antonio, TX; daughter Leslie Faircloth and her husband Steve of Trenton, GA; daughter Jodi DeYoung of Chattanooga, TN; son Richard DeYoung and his wife Sara of Chattanooga, TN; 14 grandchildren; Joshua(Hannah), Trent(Joy), Tanner, Elissa, Katie, Jason, Haley, Abby, Callan, Elize, Sunny, Hunter, 8 great grandchildren; Tinsleigh, Maddix, Nora, Shepherd, Ozzie, Lilly, Christian Liam, brother, Bob (Pat), sister, Betty Kay (Duke), sister, Sharon (Chuck), Brother in Law, Bud(Bonnie), Sisters in Law, Barbara and Nancy and numerous nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Jimmy will be laid to rest in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard in a private family ceremony.

A Celebration of Jimmy’s Life Memorial Service will be held after burial at the Red Bank Baptist Church at 3:00 pm on Friday August 20, 2021 with a receiving of friends to follow. This service is open to public and will be livestreamed via Red Bank Baptist church’s link redbankbaptist.online.church

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Jimmy’s ministry, Prophecy Today: Central Missionary Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 2510 Chattanooga, TN 37409.

Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com