- Date Of Birth: December 22, 1949
- Date Of Death: October 24, 2015
- State: Texas
December 22, 1949 – October 24, 2015
Joseph (Jody) Hershel Yell Jr., 65, entered into eternal rest on October 24th, 2015 at 10:22 pm. Jody was a Purple Heart Vietnam Veteran, who was honored to serve his country. Joe was born in Dumas, TX on December 22nd, 1949 to Joseph Hershel Yell and Wanda Lou Robbins. In Joe’s youth, his family moved to Guymon, Oklahoma where he would develop love for track and field. Joe went on to break and set several records, including a state record in the 880yd. run. Many of Joe’s fondest memories were in Guymon where he met lifelong friends, was in many sports for the Guymon Tigers (Class of 1968) and met and courted the woman he would marry, Joan Lea Mathewson. After enrolling at Central State University, Joe was drafted into the Army in 1970 to protect and serve the United States. After honorable discharge, Joe found a natural talent for aviation and soon became an avionics technician, which took him and his loving family all over the United States. In 1974, Jody and Joan L. Mathewson were united in marriage in Guymon. They would go on to have two children, Julie (b. 1977) and Tyler (b. 1983) and four grandchildren, whom he cherished. Survivors include Jody’s wife, Joan L. Yell, and their two children: daughter Julie and husband Brian of San Antonio, TX and son Tyler and wife Tara of Frisco, TX. Survivors also include four grandchildren, Taylor, Braden, and Elijah Cripps and Emerson Yell. Brother Paul Dean Yell, Sisters Rebecca Connolly, and Linda Rutz, step-brother David W. Wysong, step-sister Barbara Dees, and Uncle Bill, and wife Geneva Yell. Everyone who knew Jody felt warmed by his laugh and smile. We will miss you, Jody, and we will be forever grateful for your love and fighting spirit. Joe will spend eternity honored in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery of San Antonio, TX
