Harry Lee Yoder

Harry Lee Yoder, age 88, of Harrisonville, Missouri, departed this life on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Silverado Memory Care Community in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Harry is survived by two daughters, Terri Lynn Yoder (Robert Wollenberg) of Peculiar, Missouri, and Cindy Lu Yoder of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, Steve Yoder (Karen) of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; three grandchildren, Sean (Tracy), Christopher (Beth), and Elise; four great-grandchildren, Emma, Kai, Wallace, and Kota; and many nieces and nephews. Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Yoder.

Harry was born in 1937 to Clarence and Florence Yoder in East Lynne, Missouri. Harry went to school in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Harry discovered his love of sports at an early age and played football and basketball in junior high and high school and was nicknamed “Bulldog” reflecting his tenacity for the games. In high school, he also received several “accolades,” including Best Dressed and Best Personality!

Harry purchased a “big rig” and worked with his father, C. J. Yoder, hauling grain, and while his plan was to continue doing so after he graduated from high school, his mother’s plan was for him to attend college instead, so she and his aunt promptly delivered him to Warrensburg, Missouri, where he attended Central Missouri State University and attained a Bachelor’s degree in history and physical education and later a Master’s degree in guidance counseling. He was honored as the “Big Man on Campus” during his undergraduate studies. After attaining his undergraduate degree, he took a teaching job in Ballard, Missouri, and then moved to Metz, Missouri, to teach and coach sports. Harry had long-standing relationships with many of the teachers, students, and athletes from those schools, some of which continued his entire life.

In 1962, Harry met and married Mary Magill. A few years later, he and Mary moved to Harrisonville, and Harry continued his studies to attain his Master’s degree. He worked in the Harrisonville junior high and high school as a history teacher, guidance counselor, and coach, where he remained until he retired. From 1968 to 1975, Harry coached high school football as the defensive coordinator alongside head coach Hugh Cobb (also a very well-deserved Hall of Famer!), during which several of Harry’s defensive players were named All-Conference, All-District, and All-State selections. They won four West Central Conference Championships, finished the 1970 season as Class 2A State Runners-Up with a 10-2 record, were the only undefeated Class 3A team in Missouri in the 1971 season (did not reach the state playoffs due to the points system), and ended three of those seasons State Ranked in the Top 10.

During his tenure, Harry also coached several boys’ and girls’ basketball and track teams (especially focusing on throwing and jumping events) with much success. (His three years as basketball coach at Metz for both the boys’ and girls’ teams resulted in five of six overwhelming winning seasons as well.) Harry was inducted as a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 as a coach of the Harrisonville High School Football Program and into the Harrisonville Wildcats Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

Harry was dedicated to Harrisonville athletics and to the well-being and success of all students attending Harrisonville schools—on and off the field. He was a tough coach and expected discipline from his players that resulted in mutual respect for the game and each other. Harry aspired to give thoughtful and meaningful advice to provide a platform from which students could make positive decisions to achieve their goals. He will be remembered for his love of family and his players and students . . . . and for his passion for sports, of course! It is fair to say that Harry’s impact on the lives of young people was much better served by that famous retrieval from his beloved big-rig and prompt delivery to the university.

Besides the Mighty Harrisonville Wildcats, Harry lived for his Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and Missouri Tigers. Harry’s favorite time watching sports was witnessing his Mizzou Tigers knock off the KU Jayhawks.

Once retired, Harry spent his leisure time attending live music venues and blues festivals in Kansas City and beyond. He and Mary also spent several summers traveling, camping and canoeing with friends and family. More recently, Harry became an avid shopper, the results of which required an entire room dedicated to gifts for Christmas and for anyone who may drop by unannounced (“Harry’s Gift Shop”). No doubt items remain in the shop today.

Harry never met a stranger and had a plethora of stories to tell—whether you wanted to hear them or not and regardless of their accuracy. You can say a lot of things about Coach Harry Yoder, but not many people would disagree that he had a unique personality that was difficult to forget. He was straightforward and filled with advice and adages, and he left most people smiling and laughing at his anecdotes and tales. While Harry will be truly missed, the memories his friends and family share will continue to uplift them and his spirit will live on in all who loved him.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. Following the service, the Celebration will continue at Fugly’s Bar and Grill in East Lynne, Missouri.

Cremation with inurnment in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Booster Club and may be sent in care of the Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.