Former Oakdale Resident, Business Owner Dies at Age 95

Paul Robert Yocum, former Oakdale resident and founder of Yocum Oil Company, died from natural causes on Tuesday. He was 95 years old.

With only two trucks, Yocum founded Yocum Oil out of his home in Oakdale in 1959. Yocum served local homes and farms, but as the years went on he focused on growing the bulk fuel business and operating his own service station.

Since then the company has expanded from just distributing fuels and lubricants to offering an array of "petroleum-related products, services and solutions," according to its website. 

Yocum continued to grow the business until he retired in 1983 and his son, Tony Yocum IV became the president and CEO. Now the company is run by his grandson, Tim Yocum.

Besides running the business, Yocum served as the president of the Minnesota Petroleum Marketer's Association and served as a board member of Premier Banks. He was also heavily involved with his church, Gethsemane Lutheran in Maplewood, according to his obituary. 

Yocum is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Fern. He is survived by his daughter, Paula, and son, Tony, as well as nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and two great- great-grandchildren. 

A visitation will take place at Gethsemane Lutheran Church from 3-7p.m. on Friday, July 27. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, also at the church. A visitation will also occur one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday. 

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