- Date Of Birth: May 8, 1928
- Date Of Death: August 3, 2012
- State: New Mexico
Dr. Maynard Evans Yoes, long-time faculty member of Sam Houston State University’s Department of Biological Sciences, passed away on August 3, 2012, in Silver City, New Mexico. Dr. Yoes was born May 8, 1928 in Stet, Missouri. He received BS, MS and PhD degrees from the University of Missouri. Yoes served in the United State Air Force from 1951-1955 and was stationed on Guam in a medical squadron.
He joined the Department of Agriculture at Sam Houston State College in 1958. After spending a year off at University of Missouri finishing his PhD degree, he was offered and accepted a position in the Biology Department in 1961. He taught the introductory Genetics course for several years in addition to introductory biology courses.
Outside of class he was involved with student activities in the Department, helping establish the Biology Club and the Biology Honors organization, Beta Beta Beta, and was involved with SHAGS (Sam Houston Association of Geology Students). Yoes was a dedicated teacher and spent many hours outside of class tutoring and mentoring students. He was recognized for his commitment to teaching as first recipient of the University’s Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award in 1970.
Dr. Yoes served as Chair of the Biology Department from 1974 to 1982. During this time he provided strong support to the developing Geology program, teaching several courses in this program. In addition, he organized and led field courses in geology and biology in the western states every summer for 10 years, from 1975 to 1984. Yoes retired in 1987. During his retirement he continued his lifelong devotion to teaching, helping pen pals in Mexico to read and write English. Dr. Yoes was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Chester and Grace Schell Yoes.
He leaves his sister and brother in-law, Winifred and Charles Stribling of Mexico, Missouri, wife, Barbara Yoes of Huntsville, Texas, son and daughter in-law, Milas and Donna Yoes of Phoenix, AZ, daughter and son in-law, Michelle and Scott Swarts of Houston, Texas, and grandchildren, Dustin and Marshall Yoes and Grace Swarts as well as many friends and family.
