Cover photo for David Link Yoder's Obituary
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1932 David 2009

David Link Yoder

July 22, 1932 — April 5, 2009

Marine Corps Sgt. Major (Retired) David L. Yoder, 76, died April 5, 2009 at his home in Reno, Nevada. A native of Garden City, Missouri, Yoder had lived in the Reno area for more than 20 years. Born July 22, 1932 in Garden City, MO, Dave was the youngest of three sons of N.E. and Elsie Kropf Yoder. He graduated from Garden City high school in 1950 and entered the Marine Corps in 1952. During his 30 years of service in the Marine Corps, Dave served his country with distinction, earning the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor and the Purple Heart during tours of duty in Vietnam. Early in his career he was a recruiting sergeant in Bangor, ME, and served as an embassy guard at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore. He also served duty assignments in Hong Kong and Okinawa.
He served as a drill instructor at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, CA, Parris Island, SC and at the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, VA.
From 1980 to 1982 he served as Sergeant Major for the Inspector General of the U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. During that assignment he traveled extensively including projects that took him to England, Scotland, Iceland, Italy and Puerto Rico. Sgt. Maj. Yoder retired in October 1982, with a full dress parade at the Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C.
After his retirement, Sgt. Maj. Yoder settled in Reno, NV where he completed a degree in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement at the University of Nevada, Reno. In Reno, he launched a second career in security, safety and risk management for the gaming industry. He also authored Drug Prevention Programs as a consultant for small businesses in the Reno area.
A cancer survivor, Sgt. Maj. Yoder became a strong advocate for cancer testing and prevention. He was active in the Washoe County American Cancer Society Relay for Life where his team ?Yoder?s Troops? has been one of the top fundraising teams. Sgt. Maj. Yoder was also a long-time volunteer for the Reno Rodeo Association and the Reno-Tahoe Open golf tournament.
Sgt. Maj. Yoder was a gentleman and proud patriot. He lived the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment. A member of the Marine Corps Drill Instructors? Association, he was a trusted friend of his many Marine Corps buddies and a role model for the young Marines he trained.
He was preceded in death by his parent; his stepmother, Carrie Helmuth Yoder; his brothers Willard Yoder and Arthur Yoder. He is survived by his niece, Catherine Yoder Doyal and her husband Steve, (Kansas City, MO), cousins Allen Ropp, Ronald Ropp, Paul Ropp and Evelyn Kropf Bearly, and countless friends and neighbors.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with burial in the Clearfork Cemetery near Garden City, Missouri.
Family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at the funerl home.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of David to the following organizations and the links below:
RELAY FOR LIFE:
www.main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFYO9GW?team_id=347931&pg=team&fr_id=14623
or
USMC DRILL INSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION:
Scholarship Grant Program Sgt. Maj. L.D. ""Crow"" Crawford Scholarship National Headquarters P.O. Box 5401 Parris Island, SC 29905 (912) 632-4557
www.usmcdiassn.com
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