THOMAS W. YODER

THOMAS W. YODER, 86, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, while watching his favorite sports channel as he was an ardent sports enthusiast. He was born on April 23, 1927, in Pullman, Wash. Tom was born into a family who pursued academic excellence; his parents were college professors and administrators at several institutions of higher education such as Washington State University. Upon graduating from Pullman High School in 1944 where he played football and ran track, he served in the United States Army Air Force stationed primarily in Louisiana, California and Texas. He was proud of his military service and was equally proud of joining the ranks even though he "snuck" into the military underage. Upon being honorably discharged, Tom entered Washington State University, earning a B.A. in history and political science in 1949. Thereafter, he entered law school obtaining his J.D. degree from the University of Chicago in 1952. Notable to mention, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was a distinguished member of Phi Beta Kappa for academic achievement. Following graduation, he chose to join a general practice firm in Fort Wayne. The firm grew and eventually became Livingston, Dildine, Haynie and Yoder (now known as Carson Boxberger, LLP). He remained a trial lawyer throughout the years, specializing in insurance defense litigation and eventually branching out into public utility law. His long-standing representative clients included Farm Bureau Insurance, Norfolk Southern Railroad Company and Indiana & Michigan Electric Company as well as its parent, American Electric Power Company. He retired at age 80 in 2007. He spent his remaining years cheering for his beloved Chicago White Sox, the Washington State University Cougars, and especially the Purdue Boilermakers, holding season football tickets to the latter for over 40 years. He enjoyed swimming, scuba diving and ballroom dancing, the Indianapolis 500 (an annual family outing, he attended every race for nearly 50 years), and all television sports. He was an avid reader of newspapers, magazines, particularly The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and biographies and economics books. He was active throughout his career in the Indiana State Bar Association (serving on its Board of Governors), the Rotary Club of Fort Wayne, The Masonic Temple, Mizpah Shrine, and the Visiting Nurse Service (served on the board for many years). He was a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church and, later, the First Wayne Street United Methodist Church. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Marilyn; a son, Thomas P. (Sheryl) of Fort Wayne; two daughters, Katherine Ann Pinkerton of Palm Coast, Fla. and Kristine D. (Michael) Boon of Fort Wayne; two grandchildren, Brandon T. Boon of Nashville, Tenn. and Brittany L. Boon of Santa Barbara, Calif.; two stepchildren, Tina L. Meeks of Fremont, Ind. and Todd D. Shown of Memphis, Tenn.; six step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; a sister, Elaine Zakarison of Pullman, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Fred R. Yoder and Wilma Yoder; and a brother, Dr. Hubert Yoder. A Celebration of Life service is 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, with calling one hour prior to service. Memorials may be made to First Wayne Street United Methodist Church or Visiting Nurse Service (VNS).