James Yocum, 52, of Medford, Minn.
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Beloved Husband, James C. Yocum, age 52, of Medford, Minn., passed away at the V.A. Hospital in Minneapolis on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, after battling cancer for 5 years.
James was born April 22, 1953, on March Air Base in Riverside, Calif., the son of
and Joldine Yocum. He moved to Albert Lea in 1956. After graduating from Albert Lea High School in 1972 he joined the United States Air Force and was discharged in 1976. James purchased and operated the Country House Supper Club in Hayward for 14 years. He returned to school and worked a variety of occupations until he was diagnosed with cancer. He became involved with AA in 1997. He has been involved in talking to, and supporting other AA members. He worked for four years with Relay for Life and the American Red Cross to help other patients find donor assistance with a large bone marrow drive in Steele County. In the fall of 2005 James received the Steele County Humanitarian Award from the Red Cross.
Jim stayed busy with AA and his friends there. He loved traveling with his wife, playing golf, fishing, hunting, motorcycling and driving his 1965 Corvette. Jim was a member of the American Legion, Eagles, and Moose clubs. For quiet times he loved to watch the birds and come to the feeders he had set up in the back yard of his Medford home.
James met Mary Ann Keck of Owatonna and they married in Alaska in 1997.
He is survived by his wife Mary Ann of Medford, mother Joldine of Owatonna, sister Shannon of Lakeville, nephew Steven of Lakeville, and many loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather and grandmother Thomas, uncle Terry Thomas of Marshalltown, Iowa, and his dog Sniffles.
He will be dearly missed by all.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Michaelson Funeral Home.