Obituary of Gerald Alan (Jerry) Yocom

Gerald Alan Yocom, 92, passed away July 14, 2024. 

Born November 8, 1931, in Turkey Ridge, Missouri to Alan and Virginia Brown Yocom deep in the Missouri Ozarks in a dirt floor cabin, an early snow blocked the front door requiring Alan to escape the house through a window to fetch the assistance of the local vet. Presenting an arm and a leg the vet advised that the baby would not make it.  Jerry was pulled out with difficulty and cast aside, and they then attended to Virginia.  Once the cast aside Jerry was cleaned and dunked in cold water, he let out a scream announcing his presence entering the world.

In 1935, with the Depression Era limited earnings, the family sold their Missouri Ozark land and home and set out for better prospects. They travelled to Arkansas where they stayed with family for a short period then on to Corpus Christi then headed to California making it as far as Muleshoe.  During this period, their home was the family car and Jerry’s room was under the car by the right rear tire. 

Earnings were still inadequate, and they headed to Longview where there was reported to be work in the oil industry. They settled in the then Longview suburb of Greggton.  There Alan found a job at Southern Mills where they eked out a living for a few years. At the beginning of World War II, hearing that good jobs were available in the shipping industry the family set out for Galveston where Alan secured a job at Todd's Dry Docks repairing war damaged ships. There, Jerry found childhood employment helping drivers at a bustling bakery and delivery business then working for Faye at Faye’s small grocery storewhere he regularly worked through high school.  During this period, the family bought a plot of land in Virginia Beach on the land opposite the Galveston Barrier Island. The house was on 4-foot piers with the floor level 5 feet above the land. This did not protect them from one hurricane water surge that had water more than one foot above the elevated floor. Jerry and his brother rode out the storm in the house rafters.

In 1950 Jerry graduated from Galveston Ball High School and joined the Marines to help fight the Korean War. He got as far as the Boot Camp in San Diego where the instructors recognized Jerry’s extraordinary shooting ability and his ability to teach other Marines how to shoot. 

Jerry was discharged from the Marines and started working his way back to Texas. In Arizona he got work hauling logs, working in an open pit mine and met his wife, Wanda Lee.

The couple made their way back to Galveston where Jerry found his life work in the commercial signage business. During this time Wanda gave birth to his son Wallace and a year later their twin girls Jan and Jane. The family moved to Shreveport, but Wanda did not like Shreveport or having three children under the age of two, so she left the family and moved back to her family in Arizona. In 1960 Jerry moved his family to Joshua, Texas and started working for the Foster & Keiser sign company in Arlington. He then starting his own sign company in 1970.

In 1983 Jerry met and married the love of his life Carol Jane Anderson and lived with her on Lake Worth for 25 Years before moving to Fort Worth. During this period Jerry had a weekly column in the local Paper and published over 300 articles. Jerry had a real gift for learning languages and taught himself how to speak numerous languages including Spanish, German and French. He was particularly adept at Spanish and volunteered to help teach English at second language classes.

Jerry volunteered for numerous organizations and churches. Jerry delivered hot meals to needy people with Meals On Wheels for seven years. Jerry’s favorite Volunteer effort wasserving as a missionary to the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico’s Copper Canyon for sixteen years. 

Jerry and Carol Jane were married for 37 years and had a great Christian life attending many local churches. Jerry supported Carol Jane in all of her desires and endeavors.  She preceded him in death in July of 2023.

In addition to his wife Carol Jane, Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Wallace, and grandson, Terry. Jerry leaves behind his daughters, Jan and Jane, his great grandson, Jake, and grandson, Kerry.  His step family, Blake Anderson Feik and his wife, Debbie, Britt Carlin Feik and his wife, Janice, Ellen Marie Feik; grandchildren, Brian Feik and his wife, Merideth, Jennifer Shuket and her husband, Ross, Karie Michelle Culler, Meagan Feik and Colin Feik and his wife, Katherine; and six great grandchildren. 

A private Family Graveside service will be held at the Oakwood Cemetery Anderson family plot Thursday morning, July 25th at 9:00.

A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Chapel Bible Church in the Oak Room at 11:00, Thursday morning, July 25th with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s name to Christ Chapel’s Global Ministries or a charity of your choice.