John Yochum ’78
In high school, Yoc was never afraid to be himself and his unique gifts. While most 6’6” tall guys were working on their basketball hook shot, Yoc pursued hockey (which made him 6’8” on skates!) where he instantly became an enforcer on the ice. He also played varsity baseball, and of course pitched; thus giving him an additional 10” height advantage on the mound, which added to his already intimidating presence. Never afraid to leverage his unique strengths combined with a rock-solid heart, Yoc has always been a consistent, towering influence amongst family, friends and brothers dating back to his teenage years some 50-years ago. Thank you, Yoc, for all that you are and continue to be.
Pledge Brother, Ken Waldron ‘78
During the 1970’s, many traveled 77-miles south on I-79, from Pittsburgh to Morgantown to attend WVU. In the fall of 1977, John “Yoc” Yochum ’78 made that short trek to cast his lot with the Mighty Mountaineers. Upon arrival in Morgantown, Yoc settled into dorm life at Dadisman Hall on the downtown campus.
He noted many of his friends and classmates from Upper St Clair High School, including Ken Waldren ’78and John “H” Christ ’79, who also made their way to WVU. “If you wanted to get away from home without traveling too far, not to mention tuition was affordable, then WVU was an easy choice,” noted Yoc.
Brother H shared: “Yoc always wore that stupid LA Dodgers batting helmet, and there always was an issue with his car. One time, we were driving back to WVU (from Pitts), and the radiator hose in his van broke and sprayed scalding hot water all over me while sitting in the passenger seat.”
He rushed second semester to allow himself to settle into college life. Once he pledged, he became an integral part of the chapter. Particularly the Leukemia Radiothon, started in 1976, in memory of C.B. Shingleton II ’75. Over several years, WV Alpha raised over $50,000 for the Leukemia Society.
Having played hockey since the age of eight, Yoc played four years during high school, and ‘tried out’ and made the WVU Club Team his junior year. With no scholarship money in play, and an immense time constraint…Yoc backed out of hockey after one game. But his passion never faded.
In 1983, while working in Houston, TX, Yoc met the love of his life, Lori. They married in 1986 in her hometown of Milwaukee, WI. Thirty-eight years later, they are the proud parents of two sons: Craig (age 31), who is a police officer in Jupiter, FL and Brett (age 28), who is a fireman in West Palm Beach, FL. Yoc & Lori reside in Palm City, FL.
In terms of work life, Yoc has spent the better part of his career working for national/global companies in the security service solutions. Presently, he is Vice President National Account Sales/Operations for U.S. Security Associates.
In terms of family, Craig was the consummate over-achiever, and by the time he enrolled at Florida State University (FSU) for his freshman year, he had already earned enough credit hours (via dual-enrollment in Criminal Justice during high school) to qualify as a junior. Life at FSU was short-lived, and after one year Craig returned to attend the Police Academy at Indian River State College. He joined the police force in 2016. He permanently works the night shift, which he enjoys: working 4 On/4 Off. When I asked his “memorable moment” to date as respects his job, he noted:
In 2017 at 3:00 AM, Craig responded to a two vehicle crash, involving an ambulance. Both paramedics died, and the driver of the other vehicle was a drunk driver. He decided at that moment he would FOREVER have a “zero tolerance” for drunk drivers.
In 2018 Craig was named Police Officer of Year for the City of Jupiter. He is engaged (Ronnie) to be married in November 2024.
Brett had a bit more circuitous path, as he pursued his love of hockey and transferred to a high school in Fort Myers for two years, followed by a year in New Brunswick, Canada (2015). In 2016 he traveled back to Florida and enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University. During his junior/senior years, the Division II School won the College Hockey National Championship.
In 2019 following graduation, Brett attended the Fire Academy. As the State of Florida requires ‘paid firefighters’ to have their EMT Certification, this part of the journey became problematic as Covid set-in. By 2021 with all certification complete, he became a Fireman in West Palm Beach, FL. When I asked his “memorable moment” to date as respects his job, he noted:
In 2023, his shift was recognized for the “Call of the Year” related to a one car accident that involved extricating the victim from the vehicle, while saving their life.
Brett is also engaged (Olivia) and will be married in August 2024. The hockey gene remains within all the Yochum Boys as they still love to spend time on the ice together!
