PAT MONROE YOCHAM

Pat Monroe Yocham, 76, of Midland, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at home. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 2008, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, November 21, 2008, at the Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland with Ronnie White, officiating. Interment will follow at Rankin Cemetery in Rankin at 2 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2008.

Pat was born February 24, 1932, in Rankin, Texas, to Charlotte and B.F. "Pat" Yocham. He married Mary Alice Bean on December 31, 1953, in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Sul Ross University. He worked as a geologist/engineer in the oil and gas business, with time spent in Andrews, Kilgore, and Midland, Texas. Pat and his family moved from Kilgore, Texas, to Midland in 1977. Pat was always known as a faithful, dependable, fair, and trustworthy boss and employee, retiring in 1997. He moved from Kilgore, Texas, to Midland in 1977.

Recently, Pat was a member of Midland's Downtown Lions Club, Hospice and Senior Citizens. He loved playing bridge and dominoes, especially, in his words, when he had some good competition. Most of all, he loved his grandkids and attended all of their activities. He was a member of Golf Course Road Church of Christ.

In Pat's high school years he was a star athlete participating in football, basketball and track at Eagle Pass High School. He had amazing toughness and speed as a star halfback and quarter-miler. Upon graduation from high school, his family moved to Rankin, Texas. Pat met the love of his life, Mary Alice Bean, in Dallas when friends from Rankin were visiting her.

Pat and Mary commenced to working and raising their five children. This was a life-long dedication for Pat and he never wavered from being a living example of Christ to his family and all those he came in contact with. Pat exemplified many fruits of the Spirit and he will truly be missed.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Midland; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Jim Benson of Midland; daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Tim Prude of Midland; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Becca Yocham of Midland; son, Scott Yocham of Midland; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Craig Siemer of Atlanta, Georgia; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Modene Yocham of Rankin; brother, Norman Yocham of Rankin; brother and sister-in-law, Biff and Judi Yocham of Houston; sister-in-law, Cleta Beeman of Cleburne; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Tiffany and Brandon Benson, Will Prude and Amanda Collier and her husband Jared; Ryan Yocham and his wife Shelly, Jason and Katie Yocham; Ansley and Charlotte Siemer; and Caleb Collier.

Pallbearers will be Todd Yocham, Scott Yocham, Jim Benson, Tim Prude, Craig Siemer, Brandon Benson, Will Prude, Ryan Yocham, and Jason Yocham. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Yocham, Norman Yocham, and Biff Yocham.

Memorials may be directed to Community and Senior Services in Midland, Midland Christian School, or Golf Course Road Church of Christ.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com