Jimmy Earl Yocum

Jimmy Earl Yocum was born in Mtn. Grove, MO October 14, 1930 to Emmett Francis Yocum and Bessie Rose Odle Yocum. He passed away Friday, February 9, 2018 in Mtn. Grove, MO at the age of 87 after a short illness.

Jim attended Mtn. Grove High School where he met Jeannine Walker. They graduated together in 1949 and were married April 20, 1951. After high school, Jim worked as a leather cutter at Brown Shoe Company before enlisting in the US Navy, serving from 1950-1954 as an aircraft elevator operator on the USS Hornet. Jim and Jeannine moved back to Mtn. Grove where he was soon hired by the US Postal Service. He worked as a postman for 30 years, retiring in 1986.

Jim loved sports. He played football in high school and later fast pitch softball. When his children were old enough, he coached their ball teams, first in the back yard, then in the summer leagues. He was an avid fan of MGHS sports, but he especially loved watching and cheering on his own grandchildren’s basketball games. He was physically very active with exercise routines and outdoor work on his farm until his illness.

Jim also loved to sing and listen to old time country music songs and traditional bluegrass music. He enjoyed listening to the old time fiddle tunes his father had played. He attended his grandkids’ music shows whenever possible and was a great source of support and encouragement in all their endeavors.

Jim’s favorite hobby was fishing along the river and he was always looking for someone to go with him. He brought along the old fishermen who were too fragile to go alone, and he introduced many men and boys to his kind of fishing as well. The highlight of the year was his 3-4 night fishing /camp out/float trip. He had Spartan camping gear, an aluminum boat, his special fishing tackle and enough food to eat if they couldn’t catch their dinner. He brought a radio and a deck of cards and otherwise enjoyed nature and laughing with his friends. He was still camping in his eighties.

Jim was a devoted son, husband, father, and grandpa. At age 40 he surrendered his life to Christ. He tried to please God and serve his fellow man, always on the lookout for someone who could use his help, especially the fatherless, the elderly, the lonely and the wayward. He was conscientious to a fault, and even in his final days tried to be as little trouble to others as possible. He knew he would soon see Jesus and he was ready.

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, a brother Wayne Yocum and sisters Lucille Robinett, Dorothy Hardin, and Margaret Kelly. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Jeannine Yocum, son Ron Yocum of Republic, MO, daughter Karen (and Jon) Petersen of Branson, MO, grandsons Nick and Brock Yocum of Springfield, MO and Matthew Petersen of Branson, MO, granddaughters Katie, Ellen, and Julianne Petersen of Branson, MO, and sister Shirley Yocum of Mtn. View, CA, and many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the Home Builders Sunday school class and other members of Mtn. Grove First Christian Church, as well as dear friends and neighbors, for their acts of kindness and words of encouragement during Jim’s sudden illness. The family is grateful to Compassus Hospice nursing staff for bringing sunshine to Jim’s last days and needed assurance to his family. The family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Oaks Care Center for giving Jim so much attention and gentle care during his final hours. The family would also like to thank Gary Ramsey, who was always only a phone call away.

Jim did not measure success by the standards of the world, but he found fulfillment by serving God and others. The example he lived can be found in the following verses from 1 Corinthians 13:

“Love is patient and kind;
Love does not envy or boast;
It is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way;
It is not irritable or resentful;
It does not rejoice at wrong doing,
But rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things,
Believes all things,
Hopes all things,
Endures all things.”

On his last full day on earth, Jim asked, “Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing?” He relaxed when he heard the affirmative answer. Jim finished strong and looked forward to hearing the following words of his Savior,

“Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your master!”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mtn. Grove First Christian Church Youth or Wright County Library, Mtn. Grove Branch.