Dr. Paul Yokley, Jr.

Dr. Paul Yokley, Jr, 95, of Florence, passed away November 22, 2018.  Visitation will be at Greenview Funeral Home from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, November 26, 2018. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 in Greenview Memorial Chapel with Larry D. Wright and Kevin Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Park with military honors.

Paul was born in Mitchellville, Tennessee near Portland, TN, and graduated from George Peabody College with his B.S. Degree in 1949 and his Masters Degree in 1950. Immediately he began his 43 year teaching career at Florence State Teachers College retiring from the University of North Alabama in 1993. While at UNA, he was the founder and advisor of the Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society.  He served as the National Beta Beta Beta Vice-President from 1978-2015.

Paul served in WWII in the United States Army Air Corp in Saipan, Guam, and other Asian countries, “piloting a bulldozer” for the Air Corps Engineers. He married Betty Brackin in 1946 and always said, “She was the prettiest girl I ever met.”

Paul received his PhD Degree from Ohio State University in 1968. In the mid 70’s he established the Yokley Environmental Consulting Service and worked many environmental impact research projects all over the southeast U.S. until 2016 (age 92)… AMAZING!

Paul was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Florence for 68 years where his “every Sunday morning greetings and hugs” will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Yokley; granddaughter, Haley Marie Creel and son, Dr. David Yokley.

Survivors include his daughter, Mary-jane Creel (Larry); grandchildren, Kevin Creel, Austin Creel, Daniel Creel, Audra Yokley and Taylor Yokley; great-grandchildren, Madeline Creel, Carter Creel, Haley Creel, Gracie Benson, Jackson Creel, Cameron Creel, Hunter Creel, Sadie Creel and Catherine Hamel.

Paul truly loved teaching and working with his grandsons, Kevin, Austin, and Daniel and his son-in-law, Larry on his “gentleman’s Farm” at White’s Lake and garden on Chisholm Road. Paul also loved these same grandsons camping, hunting, and working the land on his farm.

Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons and friends.

A heart-felt thank you to Mitchell Hollingsworth Nursing Home and especially to the Community Care Hospice Staff for their kind and tender care.

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