David Matthew Yocum, IV

David Matthew Yocum, IV, passed away in Lake Village, Ark., on May 7, 2022. David was born on December 7, 1949, in El Dorado, Arkansas. He graduated from the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He later received his agribusiness education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. After graduating, he moved to Lake Village, where he farmed rice and soybeans for nearly 50 years. David also farmed catfish, was a leader in the industry, and served as the president of the Catfish Farmers of America. In addition to farming, he owned and operated Alice-Sidney Dryer and Seed Company and was general partner of Alice-Sidney Oil Company. David was an adventurer and a skilled mechanic, who enjoyed working on his equipment, motors, and machines. His quest for adventure brought out the free spirit that helped define him. He skied the muddy water of the Ouachita River and the white snow of the Rocky Mountains. He dove the Alacran Reef on an underwater expedition for sunken ships and treasure. He floated 188 miles down the Buffalo River, exploring caves along the way. He rebuilt a 1942 Harley Davidson Knucklehead and rode the chopper from Arkansas to Colorado. He climbed North Maroon Peak with ice axes in a thunderstorm. David was an instrument rated pilot, who dusted his own crops. He launched hang gliders and built and flew ultralight aircraft. He sailed a catamaran down the Mississippi River, across the Caribbean Sea, through the Panama Canal, and back. He left these and many more meaningful and happy memories for those that loved him. He will be dearly missed by all that knew his caring spirit and generous heart. Preceding him in death was his father, Dr. David Mathew Yocum, III, M.D., and his son, Shelton McClintock Yocum. Survivors include his wife, Diana Yocum, of Lake Village, his mother, Marthalyn Rushing Yocum, of El Dorado, his daughter, Laura Elise Yocum, of Little Rock, along with his granddaughter, Jessamine Rayder, of Chicago, Illinois. Also surviving are his step-children, Chris Styron (Karen), of Baton Rouge, La., Annalisa McGaha (Sean), of Monroe, La., and Emily Holleman (Chris), of Little Rock, and eight step-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by his aunt, Beverly Yocum, of El Dorado, and cousins, Lynn Dwight (Jeff), of El Dorado, and Dr. John Yocum, M.D. (Jane), of Little Rock. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 14, at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 324 S. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Village, Arkansas, 71653. Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at: www.michaeljfox.org/donate or the Parkinson's Foundation at: www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.youngsfuneralhome.com.