Jerry Yocum

Jerry Dean Yocum, 86, passed away peacefully at home in Safford, AZ February 18, 2014. Jerry was born in Nutt, NM (Las Cruces) on December 9, 1927 to Harvey Homer Yocum and Helen Matilda Gehl Yocum. He spent his younger years in the Las Cruces area and was raised in Silver City. Jerry met and married the love of his life, Ella Mae Haynes in El Paso, TX and they were married for 61 years. Together they raised three children, Pamela Gehl Yocum Allan of Safford, AZ, Debra Elaine Yocum Jackson of Queen Creek, AZ, and Ronald Harvey Yocum of Ranchos de Taos, NM. Jerry served with the Navy in the South Pacific during WWII. He was instrumental in forming the CASU 38 group of veterans who served throughout the South Pacific. Jerry was a life member of the B.P.O.E. Silver City Lodge 413. He is well known for his work with youth, coaching Little League Baseball and mentoring young people whenever possible. After his retirement from the United States Postal Service, he and Ella owned and operated Catron County Insurance. He was unwavering in his beliefs, a patriot, and proud to be an American. Jerry worked to embrace diversity and was looking for solutions without judgement. Jerry is survived by his friend and companion, Peggy Williams, his daughter Pamela, and her husband Jim Allan; his daughter Debra Yocum Jackson; his son Harvey Yocum and his wife Norma; and Peggy's children Wade Williams (deceased), Denise Williams Lemley and Kim Williams Stephens and her partner Don Riggs. He had 10 grandchildren, Tamatha Allan Abalos and her husband Eddie of Silver City, Tanya Allan Renteria and her husband Troy of Silver City, James Ronald Allan (deceased), Milton Jensen and his wife Valerie of Richfield, UT, Michael Terrazas and partner Eric Barcus of Queen Creek, AZ, Alicia Terrazas Otto and husband Chris of Las Vegas, NV, Matthew Terrazas of El Paso, TX, Stephen Terrazas and wife Jessica of Romoland, CA, Jason Yocum and his wife Alisa of Gilbert, AZ, Monica Corral and husband Raymundo of Taos, NM, and Peggy's grandchildren April Harris and husband Andy of Safford, AZ, Chelsea Stephens of Safford, AZ, Shanna Epperson and husband Michael of Tucson, AZ, Justin Lemley and wife Kathy of Morenci, AZ, Kevin Williams of Mesa, AZ, and Sherri Williams of Norman, OK. Jerry had 14 great-grandchildren; Christopher Allan of Las Cruces, Brooklyn Rose Renteria of Silver City, Ireland Otto of Las Vegas, NV, Jared Terrazas, Audrey Terrazas, and Caleb Terrazas of Romoland, CA, Lauren Yocum and Kayden Yocum of Gilbert, AZ, Claire Corral, Josey Corral, and Vincent Corral of Taos, NM, and Mescha Jensen, Gabriella Jensen, and Cybil Jensen of St. George, UT and Peggy's great-grandchilden Madison Williams Bielue of Norma, OK, MacKenzee Harris of Safford, Paige Williams of Norman, OK, Alexander Lemley and Jasper Lemley of Morenci, AZ, and Natalie Williams and Wade Williams of Mesa, AZ. Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was preceded in death by his beloved Ella Mae, his parents, his brother Jack Yocum, his sister Betty Yocum Diederich, his sister Janice Yocum Keil, and his grandson James Ronald Allan. A memorial service will be held at Bright Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Ft. Bayard National Cemetery with Military Honors.