KATHLEEN J. YODER

YODER

Kathleen Jean “Kathy” Yoder (age 79) left this earthly life and entered her Heavenly Home on December 29, 2022 after a 6 months illness. She was with her husband, Tom at home at the time of her death.

Kathy was born on April 5, 1943 in Akron, Ohio to Raymond King Moran and Jean Ihrig Moran. Shortly after her birth her father was called to active duty as America prepared for WWII.

Ray served as an instructor in the Army Tank Corps at Fort Hood, TX. Kathy and her mother moved to Gatesville, TX to be near her father where they remained until after the war. The family then returned to Kent Ohio where her father resumed his teaching position at Kent State University. Kathy attended schools in Kent and graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1961.

On New Year's Eve in1959 at a high school dance she met her future husband, Tom Yoder who was visiting. Tom lived in a neighboring town, but was smitten with the pretty Kathy Moran. Then, two years later, again on New Year's Eve, they met again. Tom would not let her getaway this time and a week later asked her out for a date. This was the beginning of a long romance that would last for 63 years.

Kathy attended Kent State University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and Tom and Kathy married on July 2nd 1966. She taught fifth grade for 7 years in Cuyahoga Falls before the arrival of their first son, Jason Bartholomew Yoder in 1973 and their second son, Zachary Noah Yoder in 1976. Kathy then dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful stay-at-home mom taking care of their boys. In 1981 Tom's employer transferred him to Dallas where Tom & Kathy found a home in the Lewisville, TX area.

Kathy tutored Bart and Zach in all elementary skills they would need before first grade and sent them off to school. She volunteered in their class rooms helping students that struggled in reading as reading was her passion. In 1988 she returned to the classroom fulltime and taught at Stewart's Creek Elementary and Polser Elementary in Lewisville. She often bought clothes for her kids that did not have shoes, clothes or winter coats and spent much of her salary on school materials and supplies for her children. She retired in 2006. Tom & Kathy moved to Wichita Falls in 2013. Kathy became a volunteer reader under WFISD's Read 2 Learn program and taught second graders that struggled with reading. She loved working with children.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband, Tom of 56 years; son Bart Yoder and wife Casey of Wichita Falls, granddaughters Ava and Hadlee Yoder (Lisa R. Yoder, mother of Ava and Hadlee) all of Wichita Falls; son Zach Yoder and wife Elizabeth of Raleigh, NC.; brother Tim Moran and wife Brenda of Kent, Ohio and their children Matt Moran and Erin Silva of Ohio, their granddaughter Maria Silva; brother Ray Moran Jr. of Aurora Ohio; brother-in-law Bill Yoder of Plano, TX and his children Webb Yoder (wife Sherah) and daughter Jennifer Yoder. Kathy loved her sons and especially her granddaughters Ava and Hadlee.

The family would like to thank Beyond Faith Hospice and No Place Like Home Senior Care for helping Tom care for Kathy at their home.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Floral Heights United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls. Memorials can be made to Wichita Falls Independent School District, Partners in Education, PO Box 97533, Wichita Falls, TX 76307 or North Texas Food Pantry, 903 Tyler Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com