There was a Celebration of Life gathering on Sunday, February 10th at the Hilliard Funeral Home officiated by Rev. Kenneth Meadows. There were many beautiful flowers and Johns casket was draped with the American Flag. People of all ages attended including a newborn baby. There were people from his work, his children's friends, Marines, Boy Scouts, family and many more.
A slide show played with pictures of John throughout the years as songs played. Some of the pictures made everyone laugh and his 2 year old niece would called out, "Uncle John is funny!".
The Reverend asked that if anyone had anything they wanted to say about John to come up to the podium. Many came forward and spoke about how much John loved life, how they met him, how good a friend he was, his sarcasm, how he loved to blow things up, and many people spoke about the pranks that he played on them. We laughed and cried as we listened to all the stories.
At the end of the gathering, two Marines came forward and after taps was played, performed the folding of the flag ceremony and presented the flag to his wife.
After the service there was another gathering in the school cafetorium with food and drinks where many people came and exchanged more stories about John.
John Howard Yost, Jr.
John Howard Yost, Jr. was born June 19, 1970 in Norfolk, Virginia. He had been a resident of Ben Wheeler for 10 years. He was raised in Jacksonville and Ft. Myers, Florida. He served in the US Marine Corps for 8 years, and was a Gulf War veteran. He worked as a boiler operator for Delek in Tyler, Texas for 9 years. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America and was a member of the NRA. He enjoyed shooting targets in his spare time.
John passed away at the age of 42 on February 4, 2013 in Tyler, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father John Howard Yost, Sr.
Survivors include his wife and three children, his mother, dad, sisters and brothers.
A father, a husband, a son,
a brother, an uncle,
and a friend full of love.
We will laugh with the memories
and shed tears for those
we have lost.
You will be missed
more than words can ever say.
"Johnisms"
Ordinary is boring
Build your own fireworks
as they make a bigger boom
Your problem is obvious...
Pinatas are like people...
Don't bother me...I'm busy being crabby
Nothing says 'Opps' like a wall of FLAME
Let's blow S*** UP!!!!
Don't worry, we've got everything under control
