Joseph Yockey

Joseph Yockey

The only favor I would ask before I’m called away, is to let me be a cowboy again, just for one more day. Old Cowboy Gypsy Joe, has moved on to greener pastures. Joseph Eugene Yockey, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, in his home in Elk River from complications due to cancer, after battling with the disease for more than 17 years.

Joe was born Sept. 28, 1951, in Moscow the son of Bill Yockey and Joan (Parkins) Coleman. Joe attended Troy High School, before entering the workforce. A bit of an out of doors renaissance man, Joe made his living over the years farming, ranching, logging, driving truck, working as a mechanic, and of course, cowboying.

His final years before retirement he spent working for Stout Farms out of Genesee. Joe enjoyed spending his time with family and friends, and spent many hours riding, hunting and fishing throughout the mountains of Idaho, Western Montana and Eastern Oregon. He was known for his quick wit, his sense of humor, and regaling friends and family with stories of his hunting, logging and cowboying antics from over the years. He could rarely be found without a cowboy hat on his head, a smile on his face, and a Rainier beer in his hand.

Joe was preceded by his parents, and his brothers Paul, Terry and Lee Abbott, and Lonnie and Wes Coleman.

Joe is survived by his children, Joseph Yockey and Pilar Alonso of Rota, Spain, Timothy and Sheree Yockey of Troy, and Eugene and Andrea Yockey of Benson, Ariz.; his grandchildren Anthony Yockey of Seattle, TJ and Kendra Yockey of Troy, Mckenna Yockey and Nick Toney of Denver, Madisen and Kourtney Yockey of Bakersfield, Calif., Gabriella Yockey of Long Island, N.Y., Sarah Yockey of Tucson, Ariz., Renee Yockey and Celina Yockey of Benson, Ariz., and Alonso Yockey of Rota, Spain; his greatgrandchildren Leo and Rohen Toney of Denver; siblings Larry Yockey of Elk River, Clay Yockey of Troy, Bonnie Miller of Kellog, Joe Abbott of Bellingham, Wash., Pete Abbott of Port Orchard, Wash., Dave Abbott of Clarkson, and Bob Abbott of Coasta Mesa, Calif.

A remembrance ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 23 in Elk River at Tom’s Tavern. The Yockey family would like to extend a special thank you to the community of Elk River for their love, care and friendship of Gypsy Joe, over the final years of his life.

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