Jeffrey William Yockey

  Jeffrey William Yockey, 50, of Nicholson, Pennsylvania died suddenly and painlessly on Thursday, March 24, 2022, while working  at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.  He is survived by his husband David Anthony Posner. The couple has been married in their hearts for over 25 years and waited nearly 19 years to finally be permitted to marry legally.  Also surviving are his sister, Tina Carnes of Indiana, PA; brother, Mark Yockey of Fayetteville, NC;  niece and nephew,  Emily and Paul Carnes;  and his uncle, Gene Yockey of Chugiak, Alaska.

     Born June 29, 1971 in Worthington, Pennsylvania, Jeff was the son of the late Charles and Donna Lou (Lyke) Yockey. He graduated from the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and continued his education at Westmoreland County Community College.  Currently, Jeff was just weeks from receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Keystone College. He was employed by Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Children where he worked as a paraprofessional and was currently doing his student teaching. He was a life-time member and former president of the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD) and a member of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).

     Jeff enjoyed working on computers, flying drones, cooking, and camping.  He would tolerate hiking in nature with his husband, but his all-time favorite pastime was playing cards and games with friends.  Being Deaf himself, he had an unending desire to work for Deaf causes and improve the lives of Deaf individuals.   In his late teens, he began interpreting for the DeafBlind.  Later, he became involved with PSAD where he worked on numerous committees, programs, and events.  While working full time, he took on various part time jobs, such as working as a Guide-by-your-Side with Hearing parents of Deaf children up to 3 years of age. He also worked with Deaf adults with intellectual disabilities, taught ASL classes, and the list goes on.  In summary, Jeff was passionate about his love and support of the Deaf community where his legacy will be felt for years to come.

    A celebration of Jeff’s life will be on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. with services by Rev. Beth Lockard, at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children (SSDHHC), 537 Venard Road, South Abington Township, Pennsylvania.  Friends are welcome attend the service. The family will receive friends beginning at 11 am until the service and after until 1:30pm.

      Memorial Contributions may be made to the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf. C/O Evy Williams P.O. box 671. Drexel Hill, PA 19026, Donation are intended for Jeffrey Yockey Memorial Fund for Deaf Youth Camps.