Mr. Yoder Faulkner, Jr.

Celebrating The Life Of Yoder Faulkner, Jr.: Yoder Faulkner Jr. was born to Yoder Faulkner Sr. and Elizabeth Gladden (both preceded him in death), on October 2, 1930 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He was the third oldest of four from that union. James, Joseph and Johnnie (all preceded him in death). Yoder attended the Winston Salem Public Schools, where he discovered his love of art. He was a natural artist who expressed himself in his drawings and paintings. Yoder also had a love for all music, Jazz being his favorite. He loved the sound of the instruments, so much that he began to self teach himself how to play different instruments; such as the piano and trumpet. After school, Yoder joined the United States Navy at the age of 17, in 1947. He would often make jokes that even though he joined the Navy to see the world, he ended up being stationed in North Carolina. Yoder enlisted into the Navy to support his mother and see the world. He wanted to become a Naval Pilot. In those times, Negroes were not allowed to become officers. At this time, officers were only white, so Yoder took the next best job as one of the First Black Naval Navigators. After his first tour ended, Yoder re-enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, where he was stationed at Montford Point. He was a part of being one of the First Black Marines in the United States. Yoder was at Montford Point for six months and during that time, he operated the telephone switchboard for the base and also worked as a Military Police (M.P.). His dream of seeing the world was fulfilled. When he was shipped to Oahu, Hawaii. At the time Hawaii was not a part of the United States so this was considered “overseas” service. For the first 23 months, Yoder was a “Field Musician.” Yoder had to be combat trained before he was deployed to Korea. He was shipped out to Korea three months later in November of 1950, where he was a Rocket Gunner. Yoder fought one year in Korea and was honorably discharged in January 1953. Yoder moved to Detroit in 1954, where he began his work career at Chrysler, Flint Ink and the Chemical Plant. He ended his career with UniRoyal Tire Company, where he retired after 20 years of service. Yoder accepted Christ into his life and joined Scott Memorial United Methodist Church in the late 1970s. Scott Church became Yoder's new love. He spent countless hours over the years repairing things, creating stages for plays, being the sound technician, just an all around “Mr. Fix-it.” Yoder was also responsible for introducing Scott Church to the Cub Scouts, where he served as a Den Master. He came out of retirement and served Scott Church proudly with love and compassion for over 20 years and was also a member for over 40 years. On Yoder's journey to finding a church home, he found his soulmate, Dorothy Nether Bacon, who had four children from a previous marriage. They wed on June 6, 1982. To this union, a son was born, Yoder John Faulkner III. Yoder loved family and friends. He enjoyed helping others and was very thoughtful. Yoder always had time for others and he always had a way to say something positive and wise in any situation. He also found solace in playing the keyboard. He took up several different hobbies after retirement; gardening, singing in the choir and golfing just to name a few. Yoder would also spend time with Sgt. Robert B. Middleton and other Montford Point Marines every third Saturday of the month. In June of 2012, Yoder and more than 400 other United States Marine Corps Veterans traveled to Washington D.C. to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. Yoder was a family man who loved spending time with his family. You may not have seen him in the pictures but you know he was there, capturing the families memories and legacy for all the cherish and share. Yoder went to his eternal home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, September 26 at 11:20 a.m.

Mr. Yoder Faulkner, Jr.

October 2, 1930 - September 26, 2017