Vernon Yoakum

Long-time Texas house mover Vernon Russell Yoakum, husband of Betty Yoakum, died in Brenham Rest Home on Thursday, July 31, 2008. Mr. Yoakum was the former owner/operator of Yoakum Housemoving, Inc. in Brenham, Texas. Vernon was born September 1, 1923 in Milam County, Texas to George and Bessie Leeper Yoakum. He was educated in the Rockdale schools, and served in the U.S. Army Air Force Burma/India during World War II. On June 10, 1947, he married Betty Doss Yoakum in Rockdale, TX. To this union were born three children: Rebecca Yoakum Schroeder Larry of Brenham, Steven Robert Yoakum of Austin, and Christopher Russell Yoakum of Brenham. Surviving are his wife, Betty Yoakum of Brenham; his children; grandsons: Scott Ashley Schroeder Kandace of Brenham, Brett Russell Schroeder Jennifer of Brenham, and special "grandson" Taylor Larson, also of Brenham; sister Oleda Yoakum of Rockdale, and sisters-in-law Adele Lumpkin and Nadine Yoakum of Rockdale. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Bessie Yoakum, a sister, Eloise Burch, and brothers Herbert Yoakum, George Yoakum Jr. and Robert Lee Yoakum. Yoakum was well-known as a house mover, specializing in antique homes. He relocated the moving business from Houston to Brenham in 1957. It is now owned by his son-in-law, Larry and grandsons Scott and Brett. The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Brenham. Vernon was an avid hunter and fisherman and shared these pastimes with his son-in-law and grandsons, as well as with his many friends, including Lonnie Landgraf, A. W. Hodde, Clyde Thomas, Charlie Schubert, Morris Bishop, Alois Bilski, Robert Murski, and many others. Due to Yoakum''s extreme love for his hunting dogs, the family requests that any memorials be given to the Donald G. Austin Animal Shelter in Brenham. A Celebration of Life for Vernon R. Yoakum will be held at Memorial Oaks Chapel on Monday, August 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., with Charlie Matejowski officiating. The family will receive family and friends Sunday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To view the obituary online or to post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com