Bruce L. Yoakum

Bruce Leon Yoakum, aged 80, of Carmel, Indiana and formerly of Cold Spring, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2022 following a six-month battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Born on July 3, 1942, Bruce spent his early years in Chadron, Nebraska. He later relocated to Bellingham, Washington where he completed middle and high school. Bruce studied Civil Engineering at the University of Washington and married his high school sweetheart, Judy, at the age of 21 while attending college. Upon graduating, he and Judy relocated to the Los Angeles area where he landed a job as a Civil Engineer with Southern California Edison. Bruce and Judy began their family in California and went on to have 3 beautiful children.

Bruce loved being an engineer and especially appreciated his time in Huntington, Utah, overseeing the construction of a coal fired power plant. He continued his civil engineering career, relocating to Ann Arbor, Michigan with his family. Later in life, Bruce furthered his education at the University of Michigan, achieving a Masters in Construction Management and becoming a professor at Chico State University in California.

Bruce was best known for his charisma, quick wit, incredible generosity, sarcastic humor and innate ability to strike up a conversation with literally anyone he encountered. His children best remember him for his tireless work ethic, constant presence at childhood events, “Sunday morning donuts” and making any camping trip adventurous. His greatest accomplishment in life was his family, whom he loved dearly and loved him back beyond words.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Judy Lee Phillips, his mother, Erma Lorene Marshall, his father, George John Yoakum, and his brother, Delmar Dean Yoakum. He is survived by his three children, Lisa (Douglas Streepey) Yoakum of Littleton, CO, Darren (Audrey) Yoakum, of Carmel, IN, Mark (Kazu) Yoakum of Union, KY, and eight dearly loved grandchildren, Sarah (Andy) Dugan, Rachel, Elliot, Calvin, Katianna and Isaac Yoakum, and Austin and Cayden Streepey.

A Celebration of Bruce’s Life will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. EST preceded by visitation at 4:30 p.m. EST at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 2551 Dixie Highway, Lakeside Park, KY 41017. The Celebration of Life Service will also premiere live on YouTube and be available on demand afterwards using this internet link: https://bit.ly/3FVskzd. Interment of Bruce and Judy will be at Carmel Cemetery in Carmel, Indiana at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Immanuel United Methodist Church 2551 Dixie Hwy. Lakeside Park, KY 41017, https://immanuelumc.org/give, or Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center 4890 Houston Road, Florence, KY 41042, http://bit.ly/2K1vvLl.