Jerry Yost

Jerry Paul Yost, 78, of Abilene, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in Abilene.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m., with Bro. David Cason officiating. Inurnment with Military Honors will immediately follow at The Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, 7457 W. Lake Rd., Abilene.

Jerry Paul Yost was born March 22, 1947, to George and Roselle Kemper Yost, at St. Ann's Hospital in Abilene, Texas.

Growing up on a farm outside of Lawn, Texas, Jerry attended Jim Ned High School where he was a standout athlete. As Captain of the football team, he played fullback and linebacker. 

While attending his first year at McMurray University, Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. After his military service, Jerry joined the Abilene Police Dept. for a time before going into the car business as a salesman, eventually working for Arrow Ford of Abilene where he was the finance manager for many years. Later in life, he spent 10 years with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, retiring in March of 2012.

As an avid outdoorsman, many days were spent hunting and fishing. Jerry enjoyed watching the quail dogs work, sitting in a deer stand, scouting for turkey, cooking over a campfire, and spending time with fellow hunters. Jerry enjoyed lake life and all that came with it; fishing, boats, teaching kids to ski and dragging them around the lake on tubes, and a good fish fry. Jerry was a good teacher for others about hunting, fishing and many other talents.

When the grandchildren came along,  Grandpa loved playing board games with them, often cheating so they would point that out. As they grew, he attended every sport they played that he could.

Some of the other interests included Texas Ranger baseball games, and watching old westerns. He was a jack of all trades, loved tools, working with his hands, and could seemingly build or repair anything. Jerry was a very kind, caring man with a wonderful sense of humor. A gifted story teller, he was a true people person and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with family, friends, or getting to know complete strangers.  Jerry's big ole' grin, outgoing personality, and so many other admirable qualities will forever be a cherished memory. 

Most of all, Jerry loved his family; his beloved wife and best friend of 33 years, Debby, and his four children; Allison Yost Frailing and husband Mike, Martha Yost McCullough and husband Tex, Zachary Atkinson and wife Chandra, Nick Atkinson and wife Shawna, and two grandchildren, Blake Frailing and Isabella Moreno.  Jerry is also survived by sister Pat and husband Jackie Cumby, brother Gene and Karen Yost; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Donna and Randy Reese and Mickey and Carolyn Packwood, and many nieces, nephews and extended family, whom he loved so much. Jerry also leaves behind his faithful dog, Lexi.

Also special in Jerry's life, Lori Carnahan, his caregiver for 3 ½ years, whom he loved like a daughter.

A special thanks to the staff of Wisteria Memory Care and Kinder Hearts Hospice. Their kindness and love shown to Jerry during his Alzheimer's journey will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to All Kind Animal Initiative of Abilene, 610 E South 11th St, Abilene, TX 79602, Taylor-Jones Humane Society, 2301 N 3rd, Abilene, Tx 79603, or Rescue the Animals, 4620 N 1st St, Abilene, TX 79603.