John Yost

John Yost will be remembered as a true patriot, an outstanding police officer, and a man of great faith, but it will be his role as the “best dad” to his children that will be his lasting legacy. In fact, a man more dedicated to his family than John would be hard to find as he not only treasured his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but he greatly affected their daily lives by the prayers he offered on their behalf each day. John’s faith was more than just something he possessed, it was his constant, personal companion. A man who could often be heard singing a song of one kind or another, John was a kind-hearted man who made it his life’s work to be fair and understanding of the needs of those around him. He made carrying out his goal seem effortless as he accomplished so much more with the lives he touched numbering far too many to count.

The year 1925 was part of a vibrant decade in America where expansion and growth within the industrial and business sectors led to plentiful job opportunities and prosperity for many American families. It was during this same year that Lawrence and Laura (Leech) Yost welcomed the birth of their son, John, on August 12th. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, John was the fifth of eight children in his family including five sisters and two brothers. John’s father owned a team of horses and over a period of many years, worked clearing the wooded land for Johnson Park while John’s mother was a homemaker. He was raised in the family home on Butterworth Avenue on the northwest side. As the prosperity of the twenties gave way to the Great Depression of the thirties, money was tight in the Yost family. Although vacations were a rarity, the family always spent holidays together whether during the summer or winter and just enjoyed being together. As a young boy, John liked being outside working in the garden and yard. He attended a one-room schoolhouse on the corner of Butterworth and Maynard and went on to Grandville High School where he ran track.

The family was not affiliated with a local church, but John was raised to embrace the Christian faith. Every Sunday he attended Sunday school in the one-room schoolhouse he attended for school during the week. John’s mother was a woman of great faith who provided John with a wonderful model through the prayers she offered each day for her family.

After graduating from high school in 1944, John went into the Marines in June of that same year. He served in Okinawa, Japan during WWII and also in Peking China as a military police officer.

It was also as a young man that John became acquainted with the woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was Barbara Proctor and her family was friends with John’s family. It seemed only natural that John and Barbara would be drawn to one another as their families regularly gathered together. Barbara was just 15 when the pair started going on group dates. They corresponded through letters while John was in the service, keeping their hearts intertwined. When John returned from serving his country, the couple began officially dating. After about one-and-a-half years, they were married on September 7, 1948.

The couple was eager to begin their new lives together and since money was scarce, they didn’t take a honeymoon right away. They saved their money and went on a trip to Niagara Falls one year later. John and Barbara settled into an apartment on National Street for a time. In 1954, they bought a house on Widdicomb Street where John called home throughout the rest of his life. Together he and Barbara were blessed with four children: John, Jr. in 1954, Mark in 1957, Judith in 1959, and Amy in 1966. John was always physically fit. Into his eighty's he walked his dog everyday and did at least fifty push-ups daily. He loved walking in Richmond Park and running up and down the hill with his dog buy his side.

Even as a young boy, John knew what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to be a police officer and his dream came to fruition when he began a lifelong career with the Grand Rapids Police Department in 1948. He began as a patrolman and for the following 41 years, he worked in almost all of the departments within the police department. John worked his way up the ladder during these years as well, becoming a sergeant, lieutenant, and finally retiring as captain. In an article printed in The Grand Rapids Press on August 7, 1987, John was called the “last of a breed.” It goes on to state that John showed compassion instead of swinging the billy club. With a heart for children, John initiated the Child Watch Program – a program that safeguards children and is now nationwide.

Faith played an important role in John’s life. He served the Lord in many different capacities at Second Baptist Church including as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. John liked to read and studied the Bible often. In order to understand his favorite book even better, John re-wrote the entire Bible in his own words. He also found great inspiration for living in Christian music.

In addition to his faith, his family was his first priority. Nothing brought him more joy than enjoying a Sunday dinner with his family all around the table. According to John, if the meal consisted of meat and potatoes enjoyed by family, life was good. The family rented a cottage up north or in Spring Lake where John could use his boat for fishing. They also took trips to places farther from home including Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Nevada.

John Yost was a man of great character and integrity who possessed a vibrant faith that accompanied his every thought, word, and deed. He was a man of few words but when he spoke, people listened because his words were saturated with wisdom and were of great value. John collected coins, loved music of all kinds, and worked hard serving his community, but it was his family who always topped his list. He was a man who saw others as more important than himself with a deep love for his community, the people he served, and his country. Although John’s family and friends now say goodbye, they find comfort in knowing he is with his Lord and Savior.

John F. Yost died on July 8th, 2010. John’s family includes his wife of 61 years, Barbara; his children, John Jr. (Lori) Yost, Mark Yost, Judith (David) Jennings, Amy Yost; grandchildren: John III., Joe, Matt, Jaclyn, Sean; great-grandchildren: Kalyn Marie, Anthony, Kaylee, Kyle; brothers and sisters Bertha Proctor, Howard (Pat) Yost, June De Vries, Peggy Nevins, Norma (Jim) Taber; and his sister-in-law, Marie Anes. John was preceded in death by his grandson Adam, his brother Harold, and his sister Gertrude. A service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the funeral home on Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guestbook.