Clyde James Yoder

Clyde James Yoder, 95 OCEANSIDE -- Clyde James Yoder passed away on July 11, 2012 at his residence. He was born on January 20th, 1917, the 4th of six children born to Lee L. and Lizzie Yoder of Shipshewana, Indiana. After graduating from Shipshewana High School he worked for Harter's Manufacturing Company of Sturgis, Mich. prior to enlisting in the United States Army Air Force. During World War II, he was stationed in Italy where he repaired B27 bombers, and while stationed in North Africa, he and eight other airmen began repairing and improving a new addition to their arsenal, the Helicopter, a vehicle used to remove injured from the battlefield. Upon leaving the service, Clyde returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Ethel Yoder on February, 20th, 1949. They went to California for their honeymoon, where Clyde was hired by McDonnell Douglas as an airplane and helicopter mechanic and they moved to Manhattan Beach. Several years later, Clyde purchased a small Garage and Texaco Gas Station in Vista, California on the corner of East Vista Way and Warmlands Dr., which he built into a very successful business. It was said the Clyde could fix anything with a combination of duct tape, chewing gum, bailing wire and gasoline. Clyde retired in 1974 and traveled the world with Ethel. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Vista for more than 40 years until his son, Victor, began taking him to Crossroads Christian Fellowship in Oceanside. Clyde is survived by his three children, Victor of Oceanside, Sheri (Cook) of Fallbrook and Maynard of Seattle, Washington; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel who died in 1992 after 43 years of marriage, and all his siblings, except for his younger sister, Gladys Ringo of Shipshewana, Indiana. A "Celebration of Life Service" will be held for Clyde on September 8th, 2012 at 10 am at the Allen Brothers Mortuary in Vista. Interment of his ashes will be at the VA Riverside National Cemetery next to his wife Ethel. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com