In Loving Memory of Bruce William Yocum
Bruce William Yocum was born on March 19, 1959, to Delores and John Yocum in Mountain Home Idaho.
Bruce spent his childhood years following his father’s Air Force career, taking him to Italy, Texas, Colorado, and California. He graduated from Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1978. He attended the University of Wyoming for two years and later graduated from the University of Southern Colorado in 1985. He achieved a Masters Degree in Business in 1996.
Bruce met Sharon Marie Lindeman of Buena Vista, Colorado, in college, and after a 3 year courtship they were married on June 29, 1985, at Faith Lutheran Church in Buena Vista, Colorado. 
The couple moved to Utah where Bruce joined the US Air Force as an Airman First Class, serving as a Fire Fighter at Hill Air Force Base, until he transferred to the US Army in 1989 to serve as a Helicopter Pilot. In 1989, while in Flight School, the couple was blessed with their oldest son, Zachary (Zach). Bruce was stationed near Frankfurt Germany from Dec. 1989 through Aug. 1993, flying UH-1H’s (Huey’s) for the Army. During this time (1991), the couple was blessed with their second child, Andrew (Andy). In 1993, the family moved to Ft. Rucker, Alabama, where Bruce was selected and served as a UH-1 Contact Night Vision Goggle Instructor Pilot (NVG IP). Bruce completed his service with the US Army in 1997 as a Chief Warrant Officer 3.
Bruce moved his family to Colorado Springs and attempted civilian life while flying for the Colorado National Guard. He was accepted into the US Air Force Reserves in 1999, and at the age of 40, he completed Officer Training School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. His position in the Reserves was a full time position scheduling helicopter flights to Missile Silo Sites and overseeing helicopter maintenance contracts. During this time, Bruce and Sharon were blessed by their third child, Joseph (Joey) in 2002. Bruce retired as a Major from the US Air Force Reserves in August 2011 with 24 years of combined service.
Following his retirement from the US Military, Bruce worked as a civilian contractor, allowing the combination of his fire fighting knowledge and his piloting skills to be utilized in the office of Wild Land Firefighting for US Northern Command.
Bruce was known for his quick wit, his off the cuff remarks, his imaginative pranks, and bringing people together with stories and laughter. He loved kids and would often be seen working by an open window enabling him to listen to kids’ unabated imaginative play. Bruce had a heart for children and people with special needs. He met and accepted people for who they were and made them feel accepted by his teasing manner. He was a confidant, but often had a wise remark at the most serious point of the conversation. He was dearly loved by his friends and family. His sons remember him for his imaginative antics, his ability to relate to them in their imagination regardless of their age, and his wise advice as he listened to their quandaries of life. He never realized how admired he really was.
Bruce was baptized into the Christian faith and at the time of his death, he was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs. He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon, his beloved children, Zachary (Brittany) of Colorado Springs, Andrew of Denver, Joseph of Colorado Springs, two fabulous grandchildren, Maverick and Victory, his adoring mother, Delores, his brothers and best friends Brad (Margaret) and Rollan (Dawn), and his treasured sister Susan (David) Stanley, many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Bruce died of COVID-19 on Feb 25, 2021. He had bravely battled cancer for three years and his compromised immune system could not overcome the disease. Bruce was preceded in death by his father, John Yocum.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that funds be given to the following charities:
Will’s Hope: A charity that serves young adults with special needs, and disabled veterans, providing them with opportunities to build confidence in themselves, and give to others with their unique skills and abilities.
https://www.willshopeopportunities.org
Pikes Peak Christian School: A community of Christian friends who have wrapped us all in their love, and have supported Joey for the past ten years in his maturity of education and faith. Bruce would wish the same for all children.