David L. Yockey

Lt. Colonel David Leland Yockey
United States Air Force
The life of David Leland Yockey ended on June 3, 2010. He was born August 9, 1965, in Ft. Wayne, IN, to Judith King Yockey and Leland K. Yockey. David's family moved to Williamsport, PA, when he entered 2nd grade. There, even in grade school and junior high, his accomplishments began to exhibit the leadership qualities that would develop throughout his life. He played basketball, golf, and baseball, competing in Little League and playing at Lamade Stadium, the home of the Little League World Series games. David's family moved to Moab, Utah, and he began 8th grade. He was inducted into the Junior National Honor Society that year. At Grand County High School in Moab he excelled academically, played basketball, golf, baseball, and pitched for his team which won the State Tournament. He was inducted into the National Honor Society, held class offices, and was elected Student Body President. During two summers David came to Hamilton to live with his grandfather and grandmother, Elizabeth and Hersch King. He played with the Bitterroot Bucks one summer and worked in the pro shop at the Hamilton Golf Course the other. Prior to graduation Senator Orrin Hatch nominated David to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Congressman Howard Nielson nominated him to the United States Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and Senator Jake Garn nominated him to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
After high school David spent his freshman year in college at Utah State University where he pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and was selected as a member of the President's Leadership Council. After his freshman year his family moved to Hamilton, MT, and Dave transferred to University of Montana to complete his B.S. in Business Administration. He held the office of President of his fraternity and was one of three students in the United States to be elected to hold a position on its national board of directors. David was a Montana University Peer Advisor and was invited to membership in Silent Sentinel, the only honor society selecting from the University at large. Since the U. of M. was founded in 1893, only 742 men and women had been nominated for Silent Sentinel. He was also a University of Montana Advocate.
David and Tamara Frey were married on September 2nd, 1989, in Hamilton, just prior to his entrance into the United States Air Force. His military career began at Officers' Candidate School at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, and then began his first assignment as Officer in Charge at Norton AFB.
Lt. Col. Yockey served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar. He retired in January, 2010, after 20 years of service and dedication to his country. He received the following awards and decorations:
Meritorious Service Medal, (three awarded), Air Force Commendation Medal (three awarded), Air Force Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (two awarded), Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on

Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with device), Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, and many Office and Professional of the Year Awards.
During his time at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio, Dave and Tammy's son Kyle was born, and while they were in Rota, Spain, son Ryan was born. The pride of service to his country was paramount to David and was superseded only by his devotion to his family. David was an amazing, bright, accomplished, humorous, thoughtful, loyal, and loving person. Life will never be the same without him.
He is survived by his wife Tamara, sons Kyle and Ryan, parents Lee and Judy Yockey, brother Greg, his wife Amy, and their children, Megan, Kellen, and Quinn, grandmother, Elizabeth King, Aunt Marlene Blankenship, her son Jeff, and daughter Kris Heckaman, Uncle Tom King, his wife Diane, and their children Chris King, wife Kristin, and their daughter Claire, Kelly King, and her husband Jon Zogg, and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The Yockey family would also like to acknowledge its "third son", Terry Frey. David loved you like a brother, Terry.
The family has asked that donations in David's name be made to the Ravalli County Sheriffs Department. Sheriff Hoffman and his staff have shown great professionalism and caring throughout this family tragedy.