Rex Yocum, 90 of Cheyenne died Sunday, April 1, 2012 at Davis Hospice Center. He was born in Scottsbluff, Neb., to Job (Rusty) and Susan Yocum.
He grew up in Gering, Neb., and graduated from Gering High School in 1939. He attended Chadron State College until he entered the Army and served at the Pentagon as a cryptographer. Tech Sergeant Yocum was one of the few who deciphered messages for the "eyes of the President only."
In 1943, he married the love of his life, Bonnie McAndrew. After the war, he finished his degree and began his teaching career in Lusk, where he taught for 12 years. He finished his master's degree at the University of Wyoming. In 1958 he moved to Cheyenne to be the Cheyenne High band director. When the school split, he moved to East High.
In 1966, he became the coordinator of music for the Cheyenne Public Schools until he retired in 1986. He was the director of the Cheyenne Symphony for 12 years, president of the Wyoming Music Educators twice, president of the northwest division of the National Music Educators and served on many regional and national advisory boards.
He was a member of the Lions Club, the Masons and Zion Congregational Church, where he as a board member. In 1970, he was the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Governor Herschler declared May 30, 1986, "Rex Yocum Day." Don Erickson declared May 4-11, 1986, as Music Week in honor of the outstanding teaching and music administration career of Rex Yocum. He served on the boards that got the Municipal Pool and the Cheyenne Civic Center built.
He is survived by his children, Barbara "Bobbie" Nicholson (John) of Vail, Ariz., and Rex "Rusty" Yocum (Anne) of Cheyenne; four grandchildren, Shannon Simpson (Doug), Ryan Nicholson (Mara), David Yocum (Stacie) and Mark Yocum(Rachel) ; nine great-grandchildren; and his sister, Doris Doling of Lincoln, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Bonnie, and his brother, Don Yocum. Rex focused his life on family, church and improving the world around him.
He is remembered by his former students as one of their outstanding teachers. All who knew him recognized his positive influence, kindness and wonderful sense of humor. You knew that when he was around, it was going to be fun. He will be greatly missed but always remembered for his legacy of unconditional love.
© Wyoming Tribune Eagle April 4, 2012
He grew up in Gering, Neb., and graduated from Gering High School in 1939. He attended Chadron State College until he entered the Army and served at the Pentagon as a cryptographer. Tech Sergeant Yocum was one of the few who deciphered messages for the "eyes of the President only."
In 1943, he married the love of his life, Bonnie McAndrew. After the war, he finished his degree and began his teaching career in Lusk, where he taught for 12 years. He finished his master's degree at the University of Wyoming. In 1958 he moved to Cheyenne to be the Cheyenne High band director. When the school split, he moved to East High.
In 1966, he became the coordinator of music for the Cheyenne Public Schools until he retired in 1986. He was the director of the Cheyenne Symphony for 12 years, president of the Wyoming Music Educators twice, president of the northwest division of the National Music Educators and served on many regional and national advisory boards.
He was a member of the Lions Club, the Masons and Zion Congregational Church, where he as a board member. In 1970, he was the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Governor Herschler declared May 30, 1986, "Rex Yocum Day." Don Erickson declared May 4-11, 1986, as Music Week in honor of the outstanding teaching and music administration career of Rex Yocum. He served on the boards that got the Municipal Pool and the Cheyenne Civic Center built.
He is survived by his children, Barbara "Bobbie" Nicholson (John) of Vail, Ariz., and Rex "Rusty" Yocum (Anne) of Cheyenne; four grandchildren, Shannon Simpson (Doug), Ryan Nicholson (Mara), David Yocum (Stacie) and Mark Yocum(Rachel) ; nine great-grandchildren; and his sister, Doris Doling of Lincoln, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Bonnie, and his brother, Don Yocum. Rex focused his life on family, church and improving the world around him.
He is remembered by his former students as one of their outstanding teachers. All who knew him recognized his positive influence, kindness and wonderful sense of humor. You knew that when he was around, it was going to be fun. He will be greatly missed but always remembered for his legacy of unconditional love.
© Wyoming Tribune Eagle April 4, 2012
Rex Yocum, 90 of Cheyenne died Sunday, April 1, 2012 at Davis Hospice Center. He was born in Scottsbluff, Neb., to Job (Rusty) and Susan Yocum.
He grew up in Gering, Neb., and graduated from Gering High School in 1939. He attended Chadron State College until he entered the Army and served at the Pentagon as a cryptographer. Tech Sergeant Yocum was one of the few who deciphered messages for the "eyes of the President only."
In 1943, he married the love of his life, Bonnie McAndrew. After the war, he finished his degree and began his teaching career in Lusk, where he taught for 12 years. He finished his master's degree at the University of Wyoming. In 1958 he moved to Cheyenne to be the Cheyenne High band director. When the school split, he moved to East High.
In 1966, he became the coordinator of music for the Cheyenne Public Schools until he retired in 1986. He was the director of the Cheyenne Symphony for 12 years, president of the Wyoming Music Educators twice, president of the northwest division of the National Music Educators and served on many regional and national advisory boards.
He was a member of the Lions Club, the Masons and Zion Congregational Church, where he as a board member. In 1970, he was the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Governor Herschler declared May 30, 1986, "Rex Yocum Day." Don Erickson declared May 4-11, 1986, as Music Week in honor of the outstanding teaching and music administration career of Rex Yocum. He served on the boards that got the Municipal Pool and the Cheyenne Civic Center built.
He is survived by his children, Barbara "Bobbie" Nicholson (John) of Vail, Ariz., and Rex "Rusty" Yocum (Anne) of Cheyenne; four grandchildren, Shannon Simpson (Doug), Ryan Nicholson (Mara), David Yocum (Stacie) and Mark Yocum(Rachel) ; nine great-grandchildren; and his sister, Doris Doling of Lincoln, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Bonnie, and his brother, Don Yocum. Rex focused his life on family, church and improving the world around him.
He is remembered by his former students as one of their outstanding teachers. All who knew him recognized his positive influence, kindness and wonderful sense of humor. You knew that when he was around, it was going to be fun. He will be greatly missed but always remembered for his legacy of unconditional love.
© Wyoming Tribune Eagle April 4, 2012
He grew up in Gering, Neb., and graduated from Gering High School in 1939. He attended Chadron State College until he entered the Army and served at the Pentagon as a cryptographer. Tech Sergeant Yocum was one of the few who deciphered messages for the "eyes of the President only."
In 1943, he married the love of his life, Bonnie McAndrew. After the war, he finished his degree and began his teaching career in Lusk, where he taught for 12 years. He finished his master's degree at the University of Wyoming. In 1958 he moved to Cheyenne to be the Cheyenne High band director. When the school split, he moved to East High.
In 1966, he became the coordinator of music for the Cheyenne Public Schools until he retired in 1986. He was the director of the Cheyenne Symphony for 12 years, president of the Wyoming Music Educators twice, president of the northwest division of the National Music Educators and served on many regional and national advisory boards.
He was a member of the Lions Club, the Masons and Zion Congregational Church, where he as a board member. In 1970, he was the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Governor Herschler declared May 30, 1986, "Rex Yocum Day." Don Erickson declared May 4-11, 1986, as Music Week in honor of the outstanding teaching and music administration career of Rex Yocum. He served on the boards that got the Municipal Pool and the Cheyenne Civic Center built.
He is survived by his children, Barbara "Bobbie" Nicholson (John) of Vail, Ariz., and Rex "Rusty" Yocum (Anne) of Cheyenne; four grandchildren, Shannon Simpson (Doug), Ryan Nicholson (Mara), David Yocum (Stacie) and Mark Yocum(Rachel) ; nine great-grandchildren; and his sister, Doris Doling of Lincoln, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Bonnie, and his brother, Don Yocum. Rex focused his life on family, church and improving the world around him.
He is remembered by his former students as one of their outstanding teachers. All who knew him recognized his positive influence, kindness and wonderful sense of humor. You knew that when he was around, it was going to be fun. He will be greatly missed but always remembered for his legacy of unconditional love.
© Wyoming Tribune Eagle April 4, 2012
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
