Roy ‘Yoke’ Yocum was born in Versailles, Ky., on May 11, 1952.

Yoke was an avid ball player from a very early age. A member of the Western Hills High School Class of 1970, he loved baseball and softball. In 1969, he won a trip to Reds spring training where he met Pete Rose. Pete Rose was his idol, and to honor Pete, Roy always wore the #14.

In 1971 and 1972, he served as a sergeant with the U.S. Army in Germany. In 1978, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati, receiving a bachelor's degree. He joined the Fire Department in 1980 and retired in 2001 as a District Chief. Through all those years, Yoke never stopped playing ball. It was his passion.

After retiring Roy continued to play with the Cincinnati Firefighters Softball Team and in 2002 he led his team to win the International Firefighters Championship game in Maryland. Subsequent to Roy’s death, the National Firefighters Softball Tournament directors’ created the ‘Roy Yocum Sportsmanship Award’ presented to a player each year in Roy’s honor.

Also in 2002, Roy was a member of World Series Masters Championship Team in the Roy Hobbs League, Ft. Myers Florida. He was extremely proud of his World Series ring. 

Continuing to gratify his love of baseball, Yoke started playing ball around the globe and joined teams that traveled to Italy, Canada, Cuba and the Dominican Republic as well as Cooperstown, NY. He was always ready for a new adventure in baseball.

For Roy, baseball was not just a team sport, but also a personal challenge to do his best whether at bat or in the field. No matter what the situation, it was all about the strategy of knowing how and where to play the ball. ‘Always keep the ball in front you’ he would say ‘and know where to play the ball.’ 

But equally important was sportsmanship. Yoke could be a fierce competitor on the field, but was always ready to congratulate a player on a game well played. He appreciated everyone’s effort in making the game or the tournament a good experience and befriended many with his open, friendly and honest enthusiasm. It was his way of encouraging many to play a better game both on and off the field. His spirit will live on in those he touched.

The Cincinnati Recreation Department honored Roy by renaming the playground at Oyler Elementary School 'The Roy Yocum Memorial Playground'. A bronze plaque has been placed at the playground. Roy attended Oyler Elementary and played ball as a child at this playground. In later years he was stationed at Engine 17 as a District Fire Chief for the City of Cincinnati, just around the corner from the playground. Roy never forgot his childhood community and would stop in to read to the children in school.

It was said of Yoke, in his eulogy, that he was a man that lived 80 years in only 53. That gives you an idea of the zest and energy he had for life. While many of us will leave it for tomorrow, Roy used a day and half every day. Perhaps in some small way, he knew his fate.

Yoke #14 died in uniform while on the way to play ball, August 18, 2005.  He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Christine and son Jason.