Gary Lynn Yohe, 78, of Madison, MO passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, August 17th, 2024.

Gary was born on March 10, 1946 in Madison, MO to Ramon and Irene Yohe. He graduated high school in 1965 where he was always proud of his woodworking skills. After high school he joined the Army National Guard. Gary married his high school sweetheart, Lona on April 8th, 1967. In 1976 he and Lona moved their family to Dalhart, TX where he got to live out his dream of being a real cowboy. Gary rode and tamed bucking horses, guided trail rides with a chuckwagon, and according to him he even led a cattle drive all the way from Texas to Colorado.

In 1983 Gary and his family made their way back home to Madison, MO where he continued to be a known and loved member of the community. He worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections at the Moberly prison for 21 years. Outside of work he got very involved in hosting and competing in bird dog trials. He also found great joy in hunting and fishing with many friends and family, specifically teaching his granddaughters. To hear his account he never caught anything less than a 10 pounder. He was also known for his spirited poker nights and large fish frys.

After retiring Gary started his final career as a bus driver for the Madison C-3 school district. He found a lot of joy in this new role in life, becoming lovingly known as the “candy man” by all of the students on his bus routes for the copious amounts of candy he bribed the kids to behave with. Later in life Gary loved watching westerns with his beloved dog Katie on his lap.

He is survived by the love of his life, Lona Yohe; his children, Les Shoemate, Lea Yohe, and Kristina (John) Schmidt; his beloved granddaughters Ashlie (Gavin) Hart and Trisha Anderson; sister-in-laws Karen Yohe and Jean (TJ) Tompkins, nephews Todd (Amy) Yohe, Scott (Kristen) Yohe, Taylen (Tracy) Brown, and John Tompkins. Preceding him in death are his parents Ramon and Irene Yohe, brother Larry Yohe, brother-in-law Robert Brown, and daughter Regina Yohe

A celebration of life will be held at the Madison Community Center in Madison, MO on Saturday August 24, 2024 from 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. The family encourages you to share any stories or photos of Gary with the family at GaryYoheMemories@gmail.com. 

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Community Bucks program at Rooted 242 which can be done at the store in Moberly or at https://www.rooted242moberly.org., or while attending the celebration of life, an in person donation can be made to the Gary Yohe Memorial Youth Hunt Scholarship Fund.