Minneapolis, Minnesota
Yeager, Jon Philip (1951 - 2013) of Minneapolis MN died at home Tuesday, May 21 with his dear wife and loving daughters at his side after a 16 month battle with brain cancer. Jon was a true gentleman, caring and compassionate to all those who were fortunate to know him. He lived with a vibrant curiosity about the world and its people and a gift for making every person he met feel important and valued. Born in Terre Haute, IN, he attended Golden Valley (MN) High School. As a champion swimmer, he went to Denver University on an athletic scholarship and earned a Masters in photography at Brooks Institute in CA. Jon taught photography with Semester at Sea before launching a successful free-lance career. He also founded the Mach 3 Flyers swim team in MN, where he coached national caliber athletes who went on to earn scholarships of their own. Jon joined Cargill in 1985 as its corporate photographer and grew into a Director of Marketing role. He climbed mountains around the world to raise money for charities, traveled the globe to capture stunning images of real people at work and play and contributed to strategic progress at Cargill until his retirement in 2012. After his diagnosis, he noted he didn't have a "bucket list," that his life was blessed with people and experiences that matter. Jon's survivors include his cherished wife Susan (Poley), daughters Brooke and Sally Wylie, son Zach, sister Tina (Tom) Beckley of CO, brothers Peter (Kathy Kram) of MA and Riff (Lori) of MN, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A celebration of Jon's life will be held at the Basilica of St Mary, Mpls on Friday 5/31. Visitation at 10 am and service at 11. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Wild Mustang Sanctuary, Hot Springs, SD or The American Indian College Fund.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
I met Jon Yeager on Semester at Sea Spring 1979.He mentored me in my photography class and yearbook photos.Travelled with him several times in our voyage around the world for three and a half months.Jon was kind,a great gentleman and had a great sense of humor.I also met and knew Jon's wife,Susan Poley while on Semester at Sea.God Bless his entire family.
Joe Stawasz
May 31, 2020 | Anaheim Hills, CA | Classmate
Our lives touched only briefly, but Jon welcomed my wife and me into his world and brightened ours. Knowing him is a gift.
Andy Shafer
August 02, 2013 | Western Springs, IL
Dear Yeager family,
I am sorry for your terrible loss of this kind, good man. Jon (and Riff) Yeager were generous mentors and swim coaches at Wayzata Country Club in the late 1970's. They influenced me tremendously, as a 13 year old, not terribly happy adolescent, in their humanity, kindness and free sensitive spirits. I admired their bond as brothers as well. I loved these good men. I remember them fondly and with some frequency over the years. I am sorry to hear about Jon's...
Mary Cohen
June 26, 2013 | Minnetonka, MN
The Tall Trees are falling... I love you, Brother Jon. p.s. Thank you for your call, Susan-my love goes out to you.
Diane Stephens
June 20, 2013 | Rancho Mirage, CA
I met Jon while working at Naegele Outdoor Advertising some thirty years ago. Jon was doing a photo shoot. All these years later he had the same great qualities--practical and without pretense, kind and generous and a healthy sense of humor. It is heartening to read these memorials to Jon and find that in all these different facets of his life --whether in work, coaching or socially--everyone seems to say the same thing: that Jon was so very present when he was with you. And so generous of...
Connie McGovern
June 05, 2013 | London, England
Jon was a true gentleman and friend. Always looking for a positive way to do things. We will all miss him.
Ann Tucker
May 31, 2013 | St Paul, MN
Beth Mohawk
May 31, 2013 | New Hope, MN
I was honored to work with Jon and can say he was a true visionary, always looking forward. He would not accept that something might be impossible, some how he made it work. He defintely will be missed, I am so lucky that I was able to get to know him and considered him a mentor.
My deepest sympathy goes out to Jon's family.
Fiona LaPoint
May 30, 2013 | Maple Grove, MN
The saying goes that people may forget what you said, or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. I don't remember what Jon would say so long ago, or what we were doing at the time, but I know he always made me feel important, even though I was just "Patty's little sister."
Swim on, Jon.
Sue (Ische) Shutz
May 30, 2013 | Seattle, WA