Obituary of John Ray Yuris

John Ray Yuris, 72, of Blythewood, SC died on Monday, 23 March 2020 in Columbia, SC of complications from lung cancer caused by Agent Orange and the burn pits in Desert Storm.

 

John was born on 15 November 1947 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania - the second son of Miller (NMI) Yuris and Hazel Duke Yuris.  He graduated from Penn Joint High School in 1966 and entered military service in August 1966 in the United States Army.  After basic training at Ft Knox, KY, he served in Vietnam and earned a Bronze Star medal.  After tours at Ft Meade, MD and Ft Belvoir, VA, John left the service in 1972.  He caddied for the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) for a few years and met the love of his life, Starla (Jeannie); they were married in 1974.  John managed several different U-Haul centers until 1982 when he re-entered the Army.  He served at Ft Stewart, GA and in the Republic of Korea, and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6) before being commissioned a warrant officer at Ft. Drum, NY in 1989.  He served in Operation Desert Storm and upon his return from Saudi Arabia in 1991, once again left active duty.  He drove truck for several years and later worked as maintenance supervisor at Palmetto Baptist Hospital, Columbia SC.  He served in the US Army Reserve from 1995 to 2004 and retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in 2004.  John was an avid golfer his whole life, beginning as a young man when he caddied on the PGA tour for ChiChi Rodriguez.  Late in life, he enjoyed golfing with Columbia’s APG Senior Golf and attended the National Retired Military Golf Tournament in Myrtle Beach the last seven years. 

 

John is survived by his wife, Jeannie, son, Blake (Lori) Yuris, grandchildren, Taylor (Thorn) Ellis and Andrew Yuris, his brother Miller Wayne (Carmen) Yuris, and his beloved dog, Boo.  He was predeceased by both of his parents. 

 

Thompson Funeral Home, Leesburg Rd, Columbia, SC is assisting the family.  Interment will take place at Ft Jackson National Cemetery with a memorial service and military honors to follow at a later date (due to the Coronavirus pandemic).  Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to North Point Community Church, 132 Beckett Lane, Columbia, SC 29223.

 

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.thompsonsfuneral.com